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.
