Alpha Book

To mention symbols for a moment,
apropos of our archaeological readings together, Boots has an
antique Asia Minor rug in which I discovered not only the Swastika,
but also a fire-altar, a Rhodian lily border, and a Mongolian motif
which appears to resemble the cloud-band. It was quite an Anatshair
jumble in fact, very characteristic. We must capture Nina some day
and she and you and I will pay a visit to Boots's rugs and study
these old dyes and mystic symbols of the East. Shall we?
"And now your last question. And I answer: Yes, I do miss you--so
badly that I often take refuge in summoning you in spirit. The
other day I had occasion to see Austin; and we sat in the library
where all the curtains are in linen bags and all the furniture in
overalls, and where the rugs are rolled in tarred paper and the
pictures are muffled in cheese-cloth.
"And after our conference had ended and I was on my way to the hall
below, suddenly on my ear, faint but clear, I heard your voice,
sweet as the odour of blossoms in an empty room.


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