The Voyage Out

She did not wish to remember; it troubled her when people tried to disturb her loneliness; she wished to be alone.

There are moments," he continued, "when, if we stood on a rock together, you'd throw me into the sea."

"You're like a bird half asleep in its nest, Rachel. You're asleep. You're talking in your sleep."

Whoever you are holding me now in your hand,

Without one thing all will be useless

The morning was peaceful as the night had been, only it was very strange because he could see it was light, and he could see Rachel and hear her voice and be near to her. He felt as if he were waiting, as if somehow he were stationary among things that passed over him and around him, voices, people's bodies, birds, only Rachel too was waiting with him. He looked at her sometimes as if she must know that they were waiting together, and being drawn on together, without being able to offer any resistance. Again he read from his book: