Reflections in a Golden Eye Read Online Free

walked like a man weighted by a dark dream and his footsteps were soundless.

Carson McCullers - Reflections In A Golden Eye

CHAPTER 2
    Very early the next morning Private Williams went to the stables. The sun had not yet
     risen and the air was colorless and cold. Milky ribbons of mist clung to the damp earth
     and the sky was silver gray. The path leading to the stables passed a bluff which
     commanded a sweeping view of the reservation. The woods were in full autumn color, and
     scattered among the blackish green of the pine trees there were blunt splashes of crimson
     and yellow. Private Williams walked slowly along the leafy path. Now and then he stopped
     altogether and stood perfectly still, in the attitude of one who listens to a call from a
     long distance. His sun browned skin was flushed in the morning air and on his lips there
     were still the white traces of the milk he had drunk for breakfast. Loitering and stopping
     in this way he reached the stables just as the sun came up in the sky.
    Inside the stable it was still almost dark and no one was about The air was close, warm,
     and sour sweet. As the soldier passed between the stalls he heard the placid breath of the
     horses, a sleepy snuffle and a whinny. Dumb, luminous eyes turned toward him. The young
     soldier took from his pocket an envelope of sugar and soon his hands were warm and sticky
     with slaver. He went into the stall of a little mare who was almost ready to drop her
     foal. He stroked her swollen belly and stood for a time with his arms around her neck.
     Then he let the mules out into their pen. The soldier was not alone with the beasts soon
     the other men reported for their duty. It was Saturday, a busy day at the stables, as in
     the morning there were riding classes for the children and women of the post The stable
     was soon noisy with talk and heavy footsteps; the horses grew restive in their stalls.
    Mrs. Penderton was one of the first riders to come this morning. With her, as often, was
     Major Langdon. Captain Penderton accompanied them today, which was unusual, as he
     customarily took his ride alone and in the late afternoon. The three of them sat on the
     paddock fence while their mounts were being saddled. Private Williams led out Firebird
     first. The injury of which the Captain's wife complained the day before had been greatly
     exaggerated. On the horse's left foreleg there was a slight abrasion that had been painted
     with iodine. On being led out into the bright sunlight, the horse rounded his nostrils
     nervously and turned his long neck to look about him. His coat was curried smooth as satin
     and his mane was thick and glossy in the sun.
    At first glance the horse seemed overgrown and too heavy set for a thoroughbred. His
     great haunches were broad and fleshy, and his legs were somewhat thick. But he moved with
     marvelous, fiery grace, and once at Camden he had outraced his own great sire who was a
     champion. When Mrs. Penderton was mounted, he reared up twice and tried to break away
     toward the bridle path. Then, straining against the bit, with arched neck and tail raised
     high, he side stepped furiously and a light froth of foam showed on his muzzle. During
     this struggle between horse and rider, Mrs. Penderton laughed aloud and spoke to Firebird
     in a voice that was vibrant with passion and excitement: 'You sweet old bastard, you!' The
     struggle ended as abruptly as it had begun. Indeed, as this volatile fracas took place
     every morning, it could hardly be called a real struggle any longer. When the horse, as an
     ill trained two year old, had first come to the stables, it had been earnest enough. Twice
     Mrs. Penderton was badly thrown, and once when she returned from her ride the soldiers saw
     that she had bitten her lower lip quite through so that there was blood on her sweater and
     shirt.
    But now this brief daily struggle had a theatrical, affected air it was a