MS-HRC-SB-4-3

[1494] abounding in proof to the contrary, that I was still alive and
breathing in and out the air of earth. [1495] At hand, that is in two or
three days, in the language of the days when they taught me the
names of the days and I marvelled at their being so soon ^few and flour-
ished my little fists, crying out for more, and how to tell the
time, and what are two or three days, more or less, in the long run,
a joke.

[1496] But not a word and on with the losing game, it's good for
the health. And all I have to do is go ^on[⁁] as though doomed to see the
midsummer moon. For I believe I have now reached what is called
the month of May, I don't know why, I mean why I believe that, for
May comes from Maia, hell; hell, I remember that too, goddess of
increase and plenty, yes, I believe I have entered on the season of
increase and plenty, of increase at last, for plenty comes later,
with the harvest.

[1497] So quiet, quiet, I'll be still here at All Saints,
in the middle of the crysanthemums, no, this year I shall not hear
them howling over their charnels. [1498] But this sensation of dilation is
hard to resist.

[1499] All strains towards the nearest deeps, and notably
my feet, which even in the ordinary way are so much further from
me than all the rest, from my head I mean, for that is where I am
fled, my feet are leagues away. And to call them in, to be cleaned
for example, would I think take me over a month, exclusive of the
time required to locate them.

[1500] Strange, I don't feel my feet any
more, my feet feel nothing any more, and a mercy it is. And ^yet[⁁] I feel
they are beyond the rage of the most powerful telescope. [1501] Is that
what is known as having a foot in the grave? [1502] And similarly for the
rest. For a mere local phenomenon is something I would not have
noticed, having been nothing but