Shadows and Tall Trees

           Thepig-runkeptclosetothejumbleofrocksthatlaydownbythewaterontheothersideandRalphwascontenttofollowJackalongit.Ifyoucouldshutyourearstotheslowsuckdownoftheseaandboilofthereturn,ifyoucouldforgethowdunandunvisitedwerethefernycovertsoneitherside,thentherewasachancethatyoumightputthebeastoutofmindanddreamforawhile.Thesunhadswungovertheverticalandtheafternoonheatwasclosinginontheisland.RalphpassedamessageforwardtoJackandwhentheynextcametofruitthewholepartystoppedandate.

           Sitting,Ralphwasawareoftheheatforthefirsttimethatday.Hepulleddistastefullyathisgreyshirtandwonderedwhetherhemightundertaketheadventureofwashingit.Sittingunderwhatseemedanunusualheat,evenforthisisland,Ralphplannedhistoilet.Hewouldliketohaveapairofscissorsandcutthishair—heflungthemassback—cutthisfilthyhairrightbacktohalfaninch.Hewouldliketohaveabath,aproperwallowwithsoap.Hepassedhistongueexperimentallyoverhisteethanddecidedthatatoothbrushwouldcomeinhandytoo.Thentherewerehisnails—

           Ralphturnedhishandoverandexaminedthem.Theywerebittendowntothequickthoughhecouldnotrememberwhenhehadrestartedthishabitnoranytimewhenheindulgedit.

           "Besuckingmythumbnext—"

           Helookedround,furtively.Apparentlynoonehadheard.Thehunterssat,stuffingthemselveswiththiseasymeal,tryingtoconvincethemselvesthattheygotsufficientkickoutofbananasandthatotherolive-grey,jelly-likefruit.Withthememoryofhissometimecleanselfasastandard,Ralphlookedthemover.