Волны

           Itisdifficultnottoweepaswesing,aswepraythatGodmaykeepussafewhilewesleep,callingourselveslittlechildren.Whenwearesadandtremblingwithapprehensionitissweettosingtogether,leaningslightly,ItowardsSusan,SusantowardsBernard,claspinghands,afraidofmuch,Iofmyaccent,Rhodaoffigures;yetresolutetoconquer.’

           ’Wetroopupstairslikeponies,’saidBernard,’stamping,clatteringonebehindanothertotakeourturnsinthebathroom.Webuffet,wetussle,wespringupanddownonthehard,whitebeds.Myturnhascome.Icomenow.

           ’MrsConstable,girtinabath-towel,takesherlemon-colouredspongeandsoaksitinwater;itturnschocolate-brown;itdrips;and,holdingithighaboveme,shiveringbeneathher,shesqueezesit.Waterpoursdowntherunnelofmyspine.Brightarrowsofsensationshootoneitherside.Iamcoveredwithwarmflesh.Mydrycranniesarewetted;mycoldbodyiswarmed;itissluicedandgleaming.Waterdescendsandsheetsmelikeaneel.Nowhottowelsenvelopme,andtheirroughness,asIrubmyback,makesmybloodpurr.Richandheavysensationsformontheroofofmymind;downshowerstheday--thewoods;andElvedon;Susanandthepigeon.Pouringdownthewallsofmymind,runningtogether,thedayfallscopious,resplendent.NowItiemypyjamaslooselyroundme,andlieunderthisthinsheetafloatintheshallowlightwhichislikeafilmofwaterdrawnovermyeyesbyawave.Ihearthroughitfaroff,faraway,faintandfar,thechorusbeginning;wheels;dogs;menshouting;churchbells;thechorusbeginning.