The_English_Patient[1].pdf

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1、1InmemoryofSkipandMaryDickinsonForQuintinandGriffinAndforLouiseDennys,withthanks‘Mostofyou,Iamsure,rememberthetragiccircumstancesofthedeathofGeoffreyCliftonatGilfKebir,followedlaterbythedisappearanceofhiswife,KatharineClifton,whichtookplaceduringthe1939desertexpeditioninsearchofZ

2、erzura.“Icannotbeginthismeetingtonightwithoutreferringverysympatheticallytothosetragicoccurrences.“Thelecturethisevening...”FromtheminutesoftheGeographicalSocietymeetingofNovember194-,LondonITheVillaSHESTANDSUPinthegardenwhereshehasbeenworkingandlooksintothedistance.Shehassenseda

3、shiftintheweather.Thereisanothergustofwind,abuckleofnoiseintheair,andthetallcypressessway.Sheturnsandmovesuphilltowardsthehouse,climbingoveralowwall,feelingthefirstdropsofrainonherbarearms.Shecrossestheloggiaandquicklyentersthehouse.Inthekitchenshedoesn’tpausebutgoesthroughitandc

4、limbsthestairswhichareindarknessandthencontinuesalongthelonghall,attheendofwhichisawedgeoflightfromanopendoor.Sheturnsintotheroomwhichisanothergarden—thisonemadeupoftreesandbowerspaintedoveritswallsandceiling.Themanliesonthebed,hisbodyexposedtothebreeze,andheturnshisheadslowlytow

5、ardsherassheenters.Everyfourdaysshewasheshisblackbody,beginningatthedestroyedfeet.Shewetsawashclothandholdingitabovehisanklessqueezesthewaterontohim,lookingupashemurmurs,seeinghissmile.Abovetheshinstheburnsareworst.Beyondpurple.Bone.Shehasnursedhimformonthsandsheknowsthebodywell,

6、thepenissleepinglikeaseahorse,thethintighthips.HipbonesofChrist,shethinks.Heisherdespairingsaint.Heliesflatonhisback,nopillow,lookingupatthefoliagepaintedontotheceiling,itscanopyofbranches,andabovethat,bluesky.Shepourscalamineinstripesacrosshischestwhereheislessburned,whereshecan

7、touchhim.Shelovesthehollowbelowthelowestrib,itscliffofskin.Reachinghisshoulderssheblowscoolairontohisneck,andhemutters.What?sheasks,comingoutofherconcentration.Heturnshisdarkfacewithitsgreyeyestowardsher.Sheputsherhandintoherpocket.Sheunskinstheplumwithherteeth,withdrawsthestonea

8、ndpassesthefleshofthefruitintohismouth.H