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Tainaron - Mail from another city { 1 }
by Leena Krohn { 2 }
The Mimic - the sixteenth letter { 312 }
{ 312 } |
In Tainaron I have a balcony where I sometimes sit and bask when the sun shines and I have no reason to go into the city. For you it is autumn, but for us it is still high summer. | { 313 } |
Just as this little riddle was beginning to trouble me, Longhorn stepped on to my balcony. | { 316 } |
'Look under the tree,' I said to him. 'Do you understand why a hill like that has been built there?' | { 317 } |
He looked, and began to smile - if the slow withdrawal of his jaws to the side of his face can be called a smile - I never get used to it. | { 318 } |
'Perhaps you find it amusing,' I said, a little irritated, 'that all sorts of obstacles are built on the thoroughfares; I myself can see no sense in it.' | { 319 } |
When I glanced at the pile of stones again, I was downhearted, for I thought it began to look like a small grave. | { 320 } |
'Do not worry,' said Longhorn reassuringly, resting his light forelimb on my shoulder. 'I see you do not yet know the Mimic. If you wish, I will introduce him to you.' | { 321 } |
'Who is he?' I asked, and my mood was cheerless, even though the day was bright and autumn was still far off. | { 322 } |
{ 323 } |
I wanted to ask something, but Longhorn made a gesture with his hand. He has, you see, a habit of moving wonderfully gracefully and elegantly, and his movement silenced me indisputably. | { 325 } |
{ 327 } |
{ 328 } |
'I do not understand,' I complained. 'Is he someone, then? Who is he?' | { 329 } |
'No,' I said, feeling an obscure rage. 'I do not wish to. I have no intention of making the acquaintance of such a person. It certainly takes all sorts....' | { 331 } |
'Really,' said Longhorn, without showing any kind of sympathy, in fact teasingly. 'So you want everyone to be someone. You want what someone is at the beginning to be what he is at the end.' | { 332 } |
'But surely! There has to be some kind of continuity!' I shouted. 'Development, naturally, but at the same time - loyalty!' | { 333 } |
'In a sense I understand him,' I said with some considerable forebearance. 'He is seeking his own form.' | { 335 } |
'Does he know we are here?' I asked. 'Does he do it for us, or for his own amusement?' | { 337 } |
'It is his work,' said Longhorn, but I do not know if he was serious. | { 338 } |
{ 339 } |
'How I love this city!' I said. 'Perhaps I shall stay here for ever.' (What on earth made me say it?) | { 340 } |
'Yes, stay here forever,' Longhorn said, but his voice darkened to such a depth that I forgot the Mimic and turned toward him in astonishment. | { 341 } |
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