Волны

           Slowlythearmthatheldthelampraisedithigherandthenhigheruntilabroadflamebecamevisible;anarcoffireburntontherimofthehorizon,andallroundittheseablazedgold.

           Thelightstruckuponthetreesinthegarden,makingoneleaftransparentandthenanother.Onebirdchirpedhighup;therewasapause;anotherchirpedlowerdown.Thesunsharpenedthewallsofthehouse,andrestedlikethetipofafanuponawhiteblindandmadeabluefinger-printofshadowundertheleafbythebedroomwindow.Theblindstirredslightly,butallwithinwasdimandunsubstantial.Thebirdssangtheirblankmelodyoutside.

           ’Iseearing,’saidBernard,’hangingaboveme.Itquiversandhangsinaloopoflight.’

           ’Iseeaslabofpaleyellow,’saidSusan,’spreadingawayuntilitmeetsapurplestripe.’

           ’Ihearasound,’saidRhoda,’cheep,chirp;cheepchirp;goingupanddown.’

           ’Iseeaglobe,’saidNeville,’hangingdowninadropagainsttheenormousflanksofsomehill.’

           ’Iseeacrimsontassel,’saidJinny,’twistedwithgoldthreads.’

           ’Ihearsomethingstamping,’saidLouis.’Agreatbeast’sfootischained.Itstamps,andstamps,andstamps.’

           ’Lookatthespider’swebonthecornerofthebalcony,’saidBernard.’Ithasbeadsofwateronit,dropsofwhitelight.’

           ’Theleavesaregatheredroundthewindowlikepointedears,’saidSusan.

           ’Ashadowfallsonthepath,’saidLouis,’likeanelbowbent.’

           ’Islandsoflightareswimmingonthegrass,’saidRhoda.’Theyhavefallenthroughthetrees.