Tramping on Life - An Autobiographical Narrative by Harry Kemp
page 65 of 737 (08%)
page 65 of 737 (08%)
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One was of myself walking with a proud step down a vast hall, the usual
wreath of fame on my head. I wore a sort of toga. And of course a great concourse of people stood apart in silent reverence on either side, gazing at me admiringly. With the thunder of their hand-clapping I would wake. The other dream was of being buried alive. I lay there, smelling the dark earth, and not being able to stir so much as the last joint of my little finger. Yet every nerve of me ached with sentience.. and I woke gasping, my face bathed with tears and the moisture of terror. * * * * * From head to foot hot flushes swept over me. And I was stung with the pricking of a million needles, going in sharply at every pore!... was bathed in cold sweats. And I hoped I was dying. * * * * * "Johnnie, what are you doing to yourself?" And my father fixed his eyes on me. "Nothing, Father!" "If you weren't such a good boy, I'd--" and he halted, to continue, "as it is, you're a clean boy, and I'm proud of you." I struggled hard to speak with him, to make a confidant of him, but I |
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