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.