Leslie Waltham

Name: Sibling
Author: Leslie Waltham

Sibling (1953)

Summary

“Sibling”, published in 1953, is a work by Leslie Waltham. It explores elements such as Maun, Dikki and Mya.

Quotes from Sibling (Leslie Waltham)

Leslie Waltham, Sibling (1953)

“ Andro, First Liaison Officer of the Third Planet, floated back to the city with his wife's "present" beside him. His boat, pulled by an underwater sunburst of luminous fish, befitted a man of importance, a man of prestige and position. He glided to the milk-glass city where the sleep cocoons filled and closed in on themselves, where the taper trees flared, where the old dreamed of being younger, and the young dreamed of being older. He drifted to a castle, on a ridge, on a hill, where he was met by the elders with their shuttered faces. ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Leslie Waltham, Sibling (1953)

“ As he reached the portal, Andro paused before its flow and surge.
"Oh, by the way, there is a dead bird on the wharf. I wish you'd have Maun bury it."
The globe dropped in glistening fragments at her feet. She was seeing a bird. A little, singing, gold-plated bird, whose shrill happiness had magnified the depths of her despair. And hating its happiness, she had thought she could kill it.
Mya knew the color of the bird that Maun would bury in the morning.
They sat, the three of them, saying no word, giving no sign. Like actors, Mya thought. Like actors, not acting. ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Leslie Waltham, Sibling (1953)

“ Mya had to be rid of this garrulous woman immediately.
Grasping one fat elbow, she steered expertly. Past the chiding of the shrubbery. "Just a perfect treasure...." Through the soughing of sands. "Imagine a servant as divine as that...." Into a waiting boat.
The tiny bark bestrode the wind. Her visitor's words washed over Mya, blue-scented and faint.
"I only wish I had her...."
"I only wish you did too," she said to no one in particular.
Thoughts of Dikki carried her back into the house. Dikki. Her tiny, scrubbed morsel! Her beloved, pink tyrant. Maybe Maun wouldn't be there. ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Leslie Waltham, Sibling (1953)

“ This ends here, Mya. I am the representative of the Third Planet. The people of Venus have seen fit to single me out and make a present to my wife. My wife will not affront them! She will not discredit me by returning this gift. She will, instead, adapt herself. It is a simple thing. ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Leslie Waltham, Sibling (1953)

“ I thought she was always there, watching me from some place I didn't know about. I feel that way during the sleep periods here."
Somewhere a wind-clock breathed its warning of the time.
"Gracious!" the guest started. "I didn't realize how long I've been here."
"Yes."
"And your poor baby! I'd forgotten about Dikki! He must be ravenous."
"I'll feed him right away."
"How is the little angel?"
"Eats like a horse, sleeps like a rock."
"How healthy of him!" She fluttered again over her misplaced wrap. "Which is more than I can say for you, pet. Has Andro been taking care of you?" ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Leslie Waltham, Sibling (1953)

“ Only Mya, wife of Andro!"
"But I've got to have some rest," she pleaded. "I've got to be able to think freely once in a while."
"Think freely, she says!" He stopped before her and fairly screamed into her face. "Doesn't Maun draw her energy from the sun? Doesn't she fall into a comatose sleep as soon as we go night-side? Isn't she almost dead just before daybreak? ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Leslie Waltham, Sibling (1953)

“ And Mya had waited for the moment when his hand would move toward her body.
"Answer me."
"I don't know what it is, Andro. It's just a feeling I have about her."
"Please explain yourself."
"I don't want her here. I was happier before she came."
He withdrew his hand. "Oh, happy, happy ... who can say what makes happiness and what doesn't? Most women would be delighted that their husbands had been so honored, but you—?"
"I am delighted," she insisted. "Please understand."
"What is there to understand?"
"That I'm also afraid."
"Of Maun?" He was surprised.
"Of Maun ... or myself ... ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Leslie Waltham, Sibling (1953)

“ Then it wasn't even a half smile.
"Dikki!" she cried, "come back." Her body tensed to watch his flight. "Dikki!" The gap between boy and ledge grew smaller and smaller.
Suddenly, she was on her feet and running hard. "Come back!" she called to him. "Watch out, Dikki, watch out!" ”

[↩︎]

Source: Gutenberg

Leslie Waltham, Sibling (1953)

“ The woman was aghast. "Here you have this lamb of a servant—"
"Who has me completely trapped. Just thinking of anything sets her off. I don't have anything left to do."
"Well, counteract the order, my sweet. ”

Leslie Waltham

Summary

Quotes from Sibling (Leslie Waltham)

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