By Saki Pdf: Laura

But then, quietly at first, a change crept in.

That afternoon, she attended the general's funeral. It was a splendid affair, with a military band playing something suitably somber and a clergyman whose voice trembled with a professional sorrow that Laura found deeply soothing. She stood near a yew tree, pretending to dab her eyes with a handkerchief that smelled of lavender, and studied the other mourners. laura by saki pdf

Julian looked at her with an expression she had never seen before—soft, almost tender. It was disgusting. But then, quietly at first, a change crept in

And if a certain lean, dark young man happened to be standing near the yew tree, well—that would be a coincidence. She stood near a yew tree, pretending to

"So did Shelley," said Laura dreamily. "And he drowned beautifully."

"Love," she repeated, as though he had suggested installing a maypole in the drawing room. "Love is for people who have not discovered the pleasure of a well-attended inquest. Love is for the sort of people who send flowers to hospitals. Julian, I married you because you hated the same things I hated. If you start loving things, you will become indistinguishable from the common herd of humanity, and I shall have to divorce you."

Dear Laura, it read. You were right. Hatred is more reliable than love. I have spent these last weeks trying to love the world, and I find it insufferably tedious. The living are, as you once said, terribly particular. They expect gratitude, reciprocity, and other exhausting performances. I miss you. I miss our funerals. I miss the way you used to rank the sandwiches afterwards. Will you not reconsider?