We took the early
train to a point at the base of the hills, and wound our way up into
the woods at the top. We were beyond the smoke, which rested like a
low black cloud over the city in the north-east, reaching a third of
the way up to the zenith. The beech had changed colour, and glowed
with reddish-brown fire. We sat down on a floor made of the leaves
of last year. At mid-day the stillness was profound, broken only by
the softest of whispers descending from the great trees which spread
over us their protecting arms. Every now and then it died down
almost to nothing, and then slowly swelled and died again, as if the
Gods of the place were engaged in divine and harmonious talk. By
moving a little towards the external edge of our canopy we beheld the
plain all spread out before us, bounded by the heights of Sussex and
Hampshire. It was veiled with the most tender blue, and above it was
spread a sky which was white on the horizon and deepened by degrees
into azure over our heads. The exhilaration of the air satisfied
Marie, although she had no playmate, and there was nothing special
with which she could amuse herself. She wandered about looking for
flowers and ferns, and was content. We were all completely happy.
Pages:
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173