Hysteria
As she laughed I was aware of becoming involved in her laughter
and being part of it, until her teeth were only accidental stars with
a talent for squad-drill. I was drawn in by short gasps, inhaled at
each momentary recovery, lost finally in the dark caverns of her throat,
bruised by the ripple of unseen muscles. An elderly waiter with trembling
hands was hurriedly spreading a pink and white checked cloth over the
rusty green iron table, saying: “If the lady and gentleman wish to take their
tea in the garden, if the lady and gentleman wish to take their tea in the garden…
” I decided that if the shaking of her breasts could be stopped, some of
the fragments of the afternoon might be collected, and I concentrated my
attention with careful subtlety to this end.
