Essays on Life 



fearing that they might come to be neglected, 

 and knowing that they could never be loved 

 again as she had loved them. On being told 

 that all was over, she said, " Thank you," and 

 immediately expired. 



Reflecting in such random fashion, and 

 strolling with no greater method, I worked 

 my way back through Cheapside and found 

 myself once more in front of Sweeting's 

 window. Again the turtles attracted me. 

 They were alive, and so far at any rate they 

 agreed with me. Nay, they had eyes, mouths, 

 legs, if not arms, and feet, so there was much 

 in which we were both of a mind, but surely 

 they must be mistaken in arming themselves 

 so very heavily. Any creature on getting 

 what the turtle aimed at would overreach 

 itself and be landed not in safety but annihila- 

 tion. It should have no communion with the 

 outside world at all, for death could creep in 

 wherever the creature could creep out ; and it 

 must creep out somewhere if it was to hook 

 on to outside things. What death can be 

 more absolute than such absolute isolation ? 



Perfect death, indeed, if it were attainable 



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