beyond the sea

“

He could no more describe the feeling he got from her than you can describe a smell. It’s like the scorch of electrictiy. It’s like burnt kernels of wheat. No, it’s like a bitter orange. I give up.

He had never imagined that he would find himself in a situation like this, visited by such a clear compulsion. But it seemed he was not unprepared. Without thinking over twice or even once what he was letting himself in for, he said “I wish-“

He had spoken too quietly, she did not hear him.
He raised his voice. He said, “I wish we could get married.”
Then she looked at him. She laughed but controlled herself.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “I’m sorry. It’s just what went through my mind.”
“What was that?” he said.
“I thought - that’s the last I’ll see of him.”
Arthur said, “You’re mistaken.”

” -

Carried Away, Alice Munroe

Jolting, right down to my bones.