Миссис Дэллоуэй

           Acharmingwoman,ScropePurvisthoughther(knowingherasonedoesknowpeoplewholivenextdoortooneinWestminster);atouchofthebirdabouther,ofthejay,blue-green,light,vivacious,thoughshewasoverfifty,andgrownverywhitesinceherillness.Theresheperched,neverseeinghim,waitingtocross,veryupright.

           ForhavinglivedinWestminster—howmanyyearsnow?overtwenty—onefeelseveninthemidstofthetraffic,orwakingatnight,Clarissawaspositive,aparticularhush,orsolemnity;anindescribablepause;asuspense(butthatmightbeherheart,affected,theysaid,byinfluenza)beforeBigBenstrikes.There!Outitboomed.Firstawarning,musical;thenthehour,irrevocable.Theleadencirclesdissolvedintheair.Suchfoolsweare,shethought,crossingVictoriaStreet.ForHeavenonlyknowswhyonelovesitso,howoneseesitso,makingitup,buildingitroundone,tumblingit,creatingiteverymomentafresh;buttheveriestfrumps,themostdejectedofmiseriessittingondoorsteps(drinktheirdownfall)dothesame;can’tbedealtwith,shefeltpositive,byActsofParliamentforthatveryreason:theylovelife.Inpeople’seyes,intheswing,tramp,andtrudge;inthebellowandtheuproar;thecarriages,motorcars,omnibuses,vans,sandwichmenshufflingandswinging;brassbands;barrelorgans;inthetriumphandthejingleandthestrangehighsingingofsomeaeroplaneoverheadwaswhatsheloved;life;London;thismomentofJune.

           ForitwasthemiddleofJune.