hand that searched for the island in the great river with the high steep banks.
“That’s it,” she said.
He kissed her then and he searched for the island, finding it and losing it, and then finding it for good. For good and for bad, he thought, and for good and for all.
“My darling,” he said. “My well beloved. Please.”
“No. Just hold me very tight and hold the high ground, too.”
The Colonel said nothing, because he was assisting, or had made an act of presence, at the only mystery that he believed in except the occasional bravery of man.
“Please don’t move,” the girl said. “Then move a great amount.”
The Colonel, lying under the blanket in the wind, knowing it is only what man does for woman that he retains, except what he does for his fatherland or his motherland, however you get the reading, proceeded.
“Please darling,” the girl said. “I don’t think I can stand it.”
“Don’t think of anything. Don’t think of anything at all.”
“I’m not.”
“Don’t think.”
“Oh please let’s not talk.”
“Is it right?”
“You know.”
“You’re sure.”
“Oh please not talk. Please.”
