Charles E. Burchfield (1893-1967)

an exclusive court with elm trees I enter a house a few doors away, intending to find a bathroom – the chief maid discovers me & treats me like a thief – I make the plea that I am looking in a bush, and that I am a bona fide guest of the Heston’s. I retreat to the latters’ home. The maid pursues me, and comes in to report my prowling to the mistress. She is a fat old lady, who seems to be the social leader of the court. She holds a finger bowl full of water, and the maid must put her mouth under the water while she talks – this to purify her faith so that the superior beings around her may not be contaminated – The old lady signs her away & says she will question me. She starts to ask questions, and pretends that a doll that she holds is asking the question – after each one she says “Thus the dolly” – I perceive she is quite mad, and retreat outside again, and go down the end of the court, with the idea of escaping The end is barred by a high embankment, beyond and above which I can see a freight station locomotive & men load stone, in late afternoon sunlight – the sight of the familiar common world fills me with sadness and a great longing comes over me to get out of my  predicament & reach that world – I turn back to try the other end & find the street full of men women & children, who have put on white starched cuffs & leggings – & are walking sedately & soundlessly up & down with expressionless faces.