The cloud shadows slowly moved across rich pastures of delicate green.

A sun-warmed, perfume-laden breeze blew from the east, tinged with a keen edge that sent the blood leaping in my temples.

Tiny pools stood in the ruts glinting blue toward the sky.

The old horse plodded slowly on and the robins called among the elms that stood arching over white farm-houses with blinds, some blue, some green.
With a harrowing sense of helplessness, the realization of what I had thrown away of life swept over me.

I turned from the sodden creature beside me in disgust.