“Yes, Carol,” he said, “we must forget ourselves in this issue. We must save our friends from this domestic suicide. Clutching an insane illusion of love, they are bemused by carnal appetite. Lost on the horizon of flesh, their perspective becomes astigmatic. Drowned in beast’s blood, they deliberately blind themselves to an obvious incompatibility. It is our duty to our strength, our lives, our God, to break this union.” Roberts’ mouth became loose and wet. “We must show them the truth.... Martin! Martin!” The adviser’s eyes were like those of a sick horse. “Martin is so young—so fruitful. We must forgive him.... And that lovely woman—upset so terribly by him—we must give her our strength.” Roberts dropped his head, unable to speak further.
Carol smiled vacuously.
“Yes,” he replied.
And while Roberts cried into the vacant moon the boy beside him, uncomprehending, drooled on.
“Yes. We must give our strength. We must give ourselves. We must give—” Carol’s voice became fainter and disappeared into the sound of leaves. He could feel Martin’s arm around him, petting—forcing. Carol’s face became curiously beautiful.... He was giving himself....
Roberts, taken from his sadness by this incoherent dribbling—Roberts, sensing the thought beside him, moved away. He looked at Carol, at the fat thighs, the fat cheeks, the desire; and he was suddenly sick. To have Martin touched, even in thought, was unbearable. Unsteadily he pushed himself off the bench and walked away without speaking. The moon was beautiful, but it was not for him. There was magic in the wind, but it made him feel more lonely.... For a long time he walked. The cornstalk he had left sitting on the bench was but a mild irritant now. It became less and less so until Roberts laughed.
Carol was not aware of the change. He knew only that Martin was closer—that his dream was real.
The bonfire had long been extinguished and the guards had left. There was no sound of skates; there was a hush of wings; and the moon looked down on the Italian lovers with their quick, dark hands.