Волны

           Heunfastenshissocksuspenders(letusbetrivial,letusbeintimate).Thenwithacharacteristicgesture(itisdifficulttoavoidtheseready-madephrases,andtheyare,inhiscase,somehowappropriate)hetakesthesilver,hetakesthecoppersfromhistrouserpocketsandplacesthemthere,andthere,onhisdressing-table.Withbotharmsstretchedonthearmsofhischairhereflects(thisishisprivatemoment;itisherewemusttrytocatchhim):shallhecrossthepinkbridgeintohisbedroomorshallhenotcrossit?ThetworoomsareunitedbyabridgeofrosylightfromthelampatthebedsidewhereMrsCranelieswithherhaironthepillowreadingaFrenchmemoir.Asshereads,shesweepsherhandwithanabandonedanddespairinggestureoverherforehead,andsighs,"Isthisall?"comparingherselfwithsomeFrenchduchess.Now,saysthedoctor,intwoyearsIshallretire.Ishallclipyewhedgesinawestcountrygarden.AnadmiralImighthavebeen;orajudge;notaschoolmaster.Whatforces,heasks,staringatthegas-firewithhisshouldershunchedupmorehugelythanweknowthem(heisinhisshirt-sleevesremember),havebroughtmetothis?Whatvastforces?hethinks,gettingintothestrideofhismajesticphrasesashelooksoverhisshoulderatthewindow.Itisastormynight;thebranchesofthechestnuttreesareploughingupanddown.Starsflashbetweenthem.Whatvastforcesofgoodandevilhavebroughtmehere?heasks,andseeswithsorrowthathischairhaswornalittleholeinthepileofthepurplecarpet.Sotherehesits,swinginghisbraces.