Bliss, and Other Stories

“And the two women stood side by side looking at the slender, flowering tree. Although it was so still it seemed, like the flame of a candle, to stretch up, to point, to quiver in the bright air, to grow taller and taller as they gazed - almost to touch the rim of the round, silver moon. How long did they stand there? Both, as it were, caught in that circle of unearthly light, understanding each other perfectly, creatures of another world, and wondering what they were to do in this one with all this blissful treasure that burned in their bosoms and dropped, in silver flowers, from their hair and hands?””

— Katherine Mansfield

“How long did they stand there? Both, as it were, caught in that circle of unearthly light, understanding each other perfectly, creatures of another world, and wondering what they were to do in this one with all this blissful treasure that burned in their bosoms and dropped, in silver flowers, from their hair and hands?””

— Katherine Mansfield

“Pois a qualidade especial comovente daquela amizade era a total entrega. Como duas cidades abertas no meio de uma vasta planície, suas mentes abriam-se uma para a outra. E não era como se ele cavalgasse na dela, como um conquistador, armado até os dentes e nada mais vendo senão um alegre ondular de seda; nem ela entrava na mente dele como uma rainha, caminhando docemente sobre pétalas... Não, eles eram viajantes atentos, sérios, absorvidos em compreender o que estava para ser visto e descobrir o que estivesse escondido, tirando o melhor proveito dessa oportunidade extraordinária, absoluta, que possibilitou a ele ser absolutamente verdadeiro com ela e possibilitou a ela ser absolutamente sincera com ele.””

— Katherine Mansfield