England, My EnglandLawrence, D. H. (David Herbert)
General
England, My England
Lawrence, D. H. (David Herbert)
England -- Social life and customs -- 20th century -- Fiction; Short stories, English
She was very glad to have a “boy”. To be at the Statutes without a
fellow was no fun. Instantly, like the gallant he was, he took her on
the dragons, grim-toothed, round-about switchbacks. It was not nearly
so exciting as a tram-car actually. But, then, to be seated in a
shaking, green dragon, uplifted above the sea of bubble faces,
careering in a rickety fashion in the lower heavens, whilst John Thomas
leaned over her, his cigarette in his mouth, was after all the right
style. She was a plump, quick, alive little creature. So she was quite
excited and happy.
John Thomas made her stay on for the next round. And therefore she
could hardly for shame repulse him when he put his arm round her and
drew her a little nearer to him, in a very warm and cuddly manner.
Besides, he was fairly discreet, he kept his movement as hidden as
possible. She looked down, and saw that his red, clean hand was out of
sight of the crowd. And they knew each other so well. So they warmed up
to the fair.
After the dragons they went on the horses. John Thomas paid each time,
so she could but be complaisant. He, of course, sat astride on the
outer horse—named “Black Bess”—and she sat sideways, towards him, on
the inner horse—named “Wildfire”. But of course John Thomas was not
going to sit discreetly on “Black Bess”, holding the brass bar. Round
they spun and heaved, in the light. And round he swung on his wooden
steed, flinging one leg across her mount, and perilously tipping up and
down, across the space, half lying back, laughing at her. He was
perfectly happy; she was afraid her hat was on one side, but she was
excited.
He threw quoits on a table, and won for her two large, pale-blue
hat-pins. And then, hearing the noise of the cinemas, announcing
another performance, they climbed the boards and went in.
Of course, during these performances pitch darkness falls from time to
time, when the machine goes wrong. Then there is a wild whooping, and a
loud smacking of simulated kisses. In these moments John Thomas drew
Annie towards him. After all, he had a wonderfully warm, cosy way of
holding a girl with his arm, he seemed to make such a nice fit. And,
after all, it was pleasant to be so held: so very comforting and cosy
and nice. He leaned over her and she felt his breath on her hair; she
knew he wanted to kiss her on the lips. And, after all, he was so warm
and she fitted in to him so softly. After all, she wanted him to touch
her lips.
But the light sprang up; she also started electrically, and put her hat
straight. He left his arm lying nonchalantly behind her. Well, it was
fun, it was exciting to be at the Statutes with John Thomas.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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