ARTHUR
26

The air is incredibly hot. Raised belts and high ceilings are not enough to hold them. The disturbance of my mind affected my body, and the heat that was pressing on me was aggravated by my anxiety, almost becoming a fever. A few hours had passed painfully, when I remembered that the bath, which was set up in the courtyard below, contained enough antidotes for the influence of heat from the atmosphere.

I got up, and went down the stairs gently, so that I would not worry Welbeck and the woman, who occupied the two rooms on the second floor. I proceeded to the tub, and, filling the reservoir with water, quickly removed the heat that was bothering me. Of all kinds of sensual gratification, it was the most delicious; and I continued for a long time washing my feet and wetting my hair. Amidst this pleasure, I saw the day approaching, and soon saw the speed to return to my room. I returned with the same caution that I used when descending; my feet were bare, making it easy to continue unattended by the smallest signal of my progress.

I had reached the carpeted staircase, and was slowly ascending, when I heard, in the room occupied by the woman, a voice, like someone moving. Although I was not aware that I was acting undue, I was reluctant to be seen. There was no reason to suspect that this sound was related to my detection in this situation; however I acted as if this reason existed, and rushed through the door and got a second rung.

I was unable to finish my design, as the bedroom door slowly opened, and Welbeck, with the lamp in his hand, came out. I was embarrassed and confused at this interview. He started to look at me; but, finding in an instant who it was, his face showed an expression where shame and anger mingled strongly. He seemed to be opening his mouth to reprimand me; but, suddenly checking himself out, he said, in a gentle tone, "How is this? Where are you from?"

His emotions seemed to communicate themselves, at the speed of electricity, to my heart. My tongue stammered as I made some answers. I said, "I've sought help from the heat of the weather, in the bathroom." He heard my explanation in silence; and, after a short pause, went into his own room, and shut himself up. I rushed to my room.

As I walked across the room, I repeated, "This woman is her daughter. What evidence do I have of that? He once asserted it; and had often uttered innuendos and clues that no other conclusion could draw. The room from which he came. , in an hour devoted to sleep, was his. Why are visits like this paid for? Parents can visit their children in all seasons, without crime. At the sight of me, I thought his face showed more than surprise.the translator would tend to suspect false consciousness. What if this woman is not his child! How is their relationship ensured?"

I was called at customary hour for breakfast. My mind was full of ideas related to this incident. I was not endowed with enough decisiveness to propose a cold and systematic observation of this man's behavior. I felt as if my state of mind could not help but be a proof for him; and experienced for itself all the confusion that according to calculations would be generated by this discovery in him. I would willingly ask myself not to meet him; but that was impossible.

At breakfast, after the usual greetings, nothing is said. For a while I barely lifted my eyes off the table. Stealing a glance at Welbeck, I found nothing on his face other than his usual gravity. He seemed to be preoccupied with thoughts that had nothing to do with last night's adventure. It encouraged me; and I gradually recovered my composure. Their indifference to me made me occasionally cast observing and comparing gazes on each other's faces.

The relationship between parent and child is usually seen from the face; but the child may resemble one of his parents, but does not have the same characteristics as both. Here the outline, surface, and color are completely contradictory. The kinship that lives between them is possible, despite these differences; but these circumstances contribute to poisoning my suspicions.