Pleasant Dreams–Nightmares by Robert Bloch

Author:Robert Bloch [Bloch, Robert]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 0515047430
Publisher: Jove
Published: 1979-06-12T07:00:00+00:00

Jan. 1 –1796. This day—my first on the lighthouse—I make this entry in my Diary, as agreed on with DeGrat. As regularly as I can keep the journal, I will—but there is no telling what may happen to a man all alone as I am—I may get sick or worse . . .

So far well! The cutter had a narrow escape—but why dwell on that, since I am here, all safe? My spirits are beginning to revive already, at the mere thought of being for once in my life at least—thoroughly alone; for, of course, Neptune, large as he is, is not to be taken into consideration as “society”. Would in Heaven I had ever found in “society” one half as much faith as in this poor dog;—in such case I and “society” might never have parted—even for a year . . .

What most surprises me, is the difficulty DeGrat had in getting me the appointment—and I a noble of the realm! It could not be that the Consistory had any doubt of my ability to manage the light. One man has attended it before now—and got on quite as well as the three that are usually put in. The duty is a mere nothing; and the printed instructions are as plain as possible. It would never have done to let Orndoff accompany me. I should never have made any way with my book as long as he was within reach of me, with his intolerable gossip—not to mention that everlasting meërschaum. Besides, I wish to be alone . . .

It is strange that I never observed, until this moment, how dreary a sound that word has—“alone”! I could half fancy there was some peculiarity in the echo of these cylindrical walls—but oh, no!—that is all nonsense. I do believe I am going to get nervous about my insulation. That will never do. I have not forgotten DeGrat’s prophecy. Now for a scramble to the lantern and a good look around to “see what I can see.” . . . To see what I can see indeed!—not very much. The swell is subsiding a little, I think—but the cutter will have a rough passage home, nevertheless. She will hardly get within sight of the Norland before noon tomorrow—and yet it can hardly be more than 190 or 200 miles.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.