540
"My reviews are dreadful," Virginia said .
"I am afraid of this war," Virginia said.
PARTISAN REVIEW
"I hear clamorous noises in my head," Virginia said.
One morning, to escape the noises of war, she dragged herself
to the river Ouse, there removed shoes, stockings, underpants, and
waded slowly into the muddy water. The large rock she had forced
into her coat pocket pulled her down till she could see the earth in
her green eyes .
"I don't think two people could have been happier than we have
been."
Bernard Malamud teaches at Bennington College.
The Stories of Ber–
nard Malamud
has recently been published by Farrar, Straus, and Giroux.
Leonard Michaels
TOILER
"You can't say anything to her?"
"Certainly not in class."
"How about in your office?"
"I don't even know her name."
"Do you want my advice?"
"Yes."
"The minute she begins to do it, stop your lecture ."
"Then what?"
"Then, in a strong voice, say 'Many of you in this room are
picking your noses .'"
"You mean nose?"
