five tales-第65章
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What a hum of insects； and cooing of pigeons！ It was the quintessence of a summer day。 Lovely！ And he was happyhappy as a sand…boy； what…ever that might be。 She was coming； she had not given him up！ He had everything in life he wantedexcept a little more breath； and less weightjust here！ He would see her when she emerged from the fernery； come swaying just a little； a violet…grey figure passing over the daisies and dandelions and 'soldiers' on the lawnthe soldiers with their flowery crowns。 He would not move； but she would come up to him and say： 'Dear Uncle Jolyon； I am sorry！' and sit in the swing and let him look at her and tell her that he had not been very well but was all right now； and that dog would lick her hand。 That dog knew his master was fond of her； that dog was a good dog。
It was quite shady under the tree； the sun could not get at him； only make the rest of the world bright so that he could see the Grand Stand at Epsom away out there； very far； and the cows crop…ping the clover in the field and swishing at the flies with their tails。 He smelled the scent of limes； and lavender。 Ah！ that was why there was such a racket of bees。 They were excitedbusy； as his heart was busy and excited。 Drowsy； too； drowsy and drugged on honey and happiness； as his heart was drugged and drowsy。 Summersummerthey seemed saying； great bees and little bees； and the flies too！
The stable clock struck four； in half an hour she would be here。 He would have just one tiny nap； because he had had so little sleep of late； and then he would be fresh for her； fresh for youth and beauty； coming towards him across the sunlit lawnlady in grey！ And settling back in his chair he closed his eyes。 Some thistle…down came on what little air there was； and pitched on his moustache more white than itself。 He did not know； but his breathing stirred it； caught there。 A ray of sunlight struck through and lodged on his boot。 A bumble…bee alighted and strolled on the crown of his Panama hat。 And the delicious surge of slumber reached the brain beneath that hat； and the head swayed forward and rested on his breast。 Summersummer！ So went the hum。
The stable clock struck the quarter past。 The dog Balthasar stretched and looked up at his master。 The thistledown no longer moved。 The dog placed his chin over the sunlit foot。 It did not stir。 The dog withdrew his chin quickly； rose； and leaped on old Jolyon's lap； looked in his face； whined； then； leaping down； sat on his haunches； gazing up。 And suddenly he uttered a long； long howl。
But the thistledown was still as death； and the face of his old master。
Summersummersummer！ The soundless footsteps on the grass！
End
