OCR Text |
Show 159 The Oji contingent also grew quiet and gazed. Odd, thought Sid, how such a simple display could be so moving. Both the fireworks and the candles were but tiny, momentary bursts against the dark, a nothing, rally, only a flicker. But that was it: the smallness, the momentariness. . . . each stood alone, sturdy and vivid. All else is darkness, it seemed to say, but at this moment I exist. And Sid refrained from looking at Louise, for fear he might reveal more than ihe wished. And soon the final candle came into view. Huddled together, the last group swept down before the uprushing darkness that like a black hand obliterated each in turn. The stream narrowed, flickered, died away. In a moment all was gone. There came a great sigh from the audience; they sat still for a moment, as if reluctant to change moods. Then they bestirred themselves, and gathering their sleeping children together began to move off toward h ome. |