Волхв

Chapter 17

           Conchiscountedfiveslowly,andthecallcameasheraisedhishand.Thenfiveagain,andagainitcame."Whatisit?""Otusscops.Thescopsowl.Itisverysmall.Nottwentycentimeters.Likethis.""Isawyouhadsomebooksonbirds.""Ornithologyinterestsme.""Andyouhavestudiedmedicine.""Istudiedmedicine.Manyyearsago.""Andneverpracticed?""Onlyonmyself."FarouttoseatothewestIsawthebrightlightsoftheAthensboat.OnSaturdaynightsitwentonsouthdowntoKythera.ButinsteadofrelatingBouranitotheordinaryworld,thedistantshipseemedonlytoemphasizeitshiddenness,itssecrecy.Itooktheplunge."Whatdidyoumeanbysayingthatyouwerepsychic?""WhatdidyouthinkImeant?""Spiritualism?""Infantilism.""That’swhatIthink.""Ofcourse."Icouldjustmakeouthisfaceinthelightfromthedoorway.Hecouldseemoreofmine,becauseIhadswungroundandsatagainstacolumn."Youhaven’treallyansweredmyquestion.""Yourfirstreactionisthecharacteristiconeofyourcontrasuggestiblecentury:todisbelieve,todisprove.Iseethisveryclearlyunderneathyourpoliteness.Youarelikeaporcupine.Whenthatanimalhasitsspineserect,itcannoteat.Ifyoudonoteat,youwillstarve.Andyourprickleswilldiewiththerestofyourbody."Iswilledthelastoftheouzoroundinmyglass."Isn’tityourcenturytoo?""Ihavelivedagreatdealinothercenturies.""Inliterature.""Inreality."Theowlcalledagain,atmonotonouslyregularintervals.Istaredoutintothedarknessofthepines.

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