A Memoir of a Man's Life

I should never forget the first weeks I spent at the country house. The weather was magnificent. My mother led a melon Kali lie. She was forever agitated, jealous and angry,. but not my father's presence. He was severe, cold, and distant in his behavior. But he had never seen a man more elaborately serene, self-confident, and commanding. That was all hope and anticipation. It was a little frightened of something, and full of wonder at everything, and was on the tip-toe of expectation.