The Kindly Ones

I was tired, but with the long, pleasant tiredness after exercise. We had walked for a long time. In the entry of the manor house, I returned my shotgun and game bag, scraped the mud off my boots, and went up to my room. Someone had put more logs on the fire, it was warm; I took off my wet clothes and went to inspect the adjoining bathroom: not only was there running water, but it was hot; that seemed a miracle to me, in Berlin hot water was a rarity; the owner must have had a boiler installed. I ran an almost scalding bath and slipped in: I had to clench my teeth, but once I got used to it, stretched out full length, it was soft and gentle like amniotic fluid. I stayed in as long as possible; when I got out, I opened the windows wide and stood naked in front of them, as they do in Russia, until my skin was marbled red and white; then I drank a glass of cold water and stretched out on my stomach on the bed.