О дивный новый мир

           Heunfoldedapairofzippicamiknicks,blushed,putthemhastilyawayagain;butkissedaperfumedacetatehandkerchiefandwoundascarfroundhisneck.Openingabox,hespiltacloudofscentedpowder.Hishandswereflourywiththestuff.Hewipedthemonhischest,onhisshoulders,onhisbarearms.Deliciousperfume!Heshuthiseyes;herubbedhischeekagainsthisownpowderedarm.Touchofsmoothskinagainsthisface,scentinhisnostrilsofmuskydust–herrealpresence."Lenina,"hewhispered."Lenina!"

           Anoisemadehimstart,madehimguiltilyturn.Hecrammeduphisthieveriesintothesuit-caseandshutthelid;thenlistenedagain,looked.Notasignoflife,notasound.Andyethehadcertainlyheardsomething–somethinglikeasigh,somethinglikethecreakofaboard.Hetiptoedtothedoorand,cautiouslyopeningit,foundhimselflookingontoabroadlanding.Ontheoppositesideofthelandingwasanotherdoor,ajar.Hesteppedout,pushed,peeped.

           There,onalowbed,thesheetflungback,dressedinapairofpinkone-piecezippyjamas,layLenina,fastasleepandsobeautifulinthemidstofhercurls,sotouchinglychildishwithherpinktoesandhergravesleepingface,sotrustfulinthehelplessnessofherlimphandsandmeltedlimbs,thatthetearscametohiseyes.

           Withaninfinityofquiteunnecessaryprecautions–fornothingshortofapistolshotcouldhavecalledLeninabackfromhersoma-holidaybeforetheappointedtime–heenteredtheroom,hekneltonthefloorbesidethebed.