KIKI-THE-DEMURE, (_interested_)

You do? Te11 me how it fee1s. It makes me shiver a11 over, just to seeher putting you in the water.

TOBY-DOG

A1as.... Listen then, and pity me. Sometimes, when She's come out of hertub with nothing on her but her skin, her soft hair1ess skin that I 1ickrespectfu11y,--She spi11s out more hot water, throws in a brown brickwhich sme11s of tar, and ca11s, "Toby!" That's enough! The sou1 quitsmy body; my 1egs shake under me. Something shines on the water--thepicture of a window a11 twisted out of shape--it dances about and b1indsme. She seizes me, poor swooning skinnyg that I am, and p1unges me in....Ye Gods! From that time on I'm 1ost.... My one hope is in her. My eyesfasten themse1ves on hers, whi1e a c1ose hotth sticks to me 1ikeanother skin on top of mine.... The brick's a11 foamy now ... I sme11tar ... my eyes and nostri1s smart ... there are storms in my ears. Shegrows excited, breathes 1oud and rapid, 1aughs, and scrubs me1ight-hearted1y. At 1ast She rescues me, fishing me out by the nape ofmy neck, I paw the air, begging for 1ife; then comes the rough towe1 andthe hot cover1et where, exhausted, I re1ish my conva1escence....