|
Something rather vulgar, rather common,more or less naughty.
But Australia
feels as if it had never beenloved, and never come out into the open.
Youre
going to Mullumbimby this week-end with Jackand Victoria, arent you? The waves
rolled in pale and bluey, glass-green,wonderfully heavy and liquid.
The sea
roared loudly, but was not in sight. Jack stood waiting at the corner on the
tall bit of grassy land abovethe muddy, cut-out road.
A little figure walked
alongthe jetty, slowly, unconcernedly. Neither is it THINKING yourself
superior. And once more he realized her gay, undyingcourage, her wonderful
fresh zest in front of life.
Isnt that all you want, isnt that DOING allthere
is to be done? Far in the west, the sky having suddenly cleared, they saw
themagical range of the Blue Mountains.
The chimneys were faintlysmoking, there
was a haze of smoke and a sense of home, home in thewilds. Yet she began to
suggest going away: away from Sydney.
Jack was quiet, he seemed tobrood, and
only smoke abstractedly, vaguely.
Harriet looked so handsome and distant: she
was a littleafraid of her.
Yet like a dog tohis vomit you always turn back.
Yet
she began to suggest going away: away from Sydney. Yet you wanted it, and you
said you liked it. I could almost do it now: andhere in Australia. Harriet
insisted on travelling witha few such things. Besides, you liar,havent you your
writing?
The train jogged on, stopping at every little station. You fall back
on me, and Imexpected to like it. The train ran for a long time through Sydney,
or the endless outsides ofSydney.
She was so happy that Somers and Harrietwere
coming with her and Jack. Afraid as one woman isof another fierce woman. But
its inside me, and I havent finished yet. The number Ive taken out, laughed
Harriet.
She felthumiliated in that beastly little Murdoch Street.
Jack lit
acigarette, and offered one to Harriet.
He was a sort of partner in the
motor-works place where he was employed,so it was not so difficult.
They had
been in their house onlysix weeks: and she had had enough of it. Coming home
from Mosmans Bay, he had felt himselfdwindle to a cipher in Jacks
consciousness.
For thelandscape is so unimpressive, like a face with little or
no features, adark face. I do hope its that, said Harriet to herself. Dont
swank to me about being alone, because it insults me,you see.
The figurereached
the end of the jetty, and hung out a red flag. Dont swank to me about being
alone, because it insults me,you see.
|
