Chapter 3 • The cistern
All that summer, Dimitri observed his British friends much as an anthropologist might study an unknown native tribe. He tried to understand them, but without much success. He admitted to himself that, unlike Tim, these friends gave no hint of superiority or indifference. Dimitri felt accepted. Anthony greeted him with a smile whenever they met. Ever since his friend Johnny had become so preoccupied with Sarah, Anthony would happily sit down next to Dimitri and read a book; but the loneliness remained impregnable. Joan and Ellie were perfectly happy to dance with Dimitri, but dancing was the only time when he could see or speak to them alone. For the rest of the time, they seemed completely immersed in one another. The most human of them all, at least by Dimitri’s s
