Поющие в терновнике

           Neatlyandbrisklyshegotoutofherclothes,notascrapcoyly,clambereduponthebedandspreadherlegsapart."Isthisright,Arthur?"

           "GoodLord!"hesaid,foldinghistrouserscarefully;hiswifealwayslookedtoseeiftheywerecrushed.

           "What?What’sthematter?"

           "Youreallyarearedhead,aren’tyou?"

           "Whatdidyouexpect,purplefeathers?"

           "Facetiousnessdoesn’tsettherightmood,darling,sostopitthisinstant."Hesuckedinhisbelly,turned,struttedtothebedandclimbedontoit,begandroppingexpertlittlekissesdownthesideofherface,herneck,overherleftbreast."Mmmmmm,you’renice."Hisarmswentaroundher."There!Isn’tthisnice?"

           "Isupposeso.Yes,itisquitenice."

           Silencefell,brokenonlybythesoundofkisses,occasionalmurmurs.Therewasahugeolddressingtableatthefarendofthebed,itsmirrorstilltiltedtoreflectlove’sarenabysomeeroticallymindedprevioustenant.

           "Putoutthelight,Arthur."

           "Darling,no!Lessonnumberone.There’snoaspectoflovewhichwon’tbearthelight."

           Havingdonethepreparatoryworkwithhisfingersanddepositedthejellywhereitwassupposedtobe,ArthurmanagedtogethimselfbetweenJustine’slegs.Abitsorebutquitecomfortable,ifnotliftedintoecstasyatleastfeelingrathermotherly,JustinelookedoverArthur’sshoulderandstraightdownthebedintothemirror.