Simon, queer and gay

Ralph started back to the shelters with Jag by his side.
"Do a bit for you," muttered Jack, "before I have a bathe."
"Don't bother."
But when they reached the shelters Simon was not to be seen. Ralph put his head in the hole, withdrew it, and turned to Jack.
"He's buzzed off."
"Got fed up," said Jack, "and gone for a bathe."
Ralph frowned.
"He's queer. He's funny."
Jack nodded, as much for the sake of agreeing as anything, and by tacit consent they left the shelter and went towards the bathing-pool.
"And then," said Jack, "when I've had a bathe and something to eaet, I'll just trek over to the other side of the mountain and see if I can see any traces. Coming?"
"But the sun's nearly set!"
"I might have time..."
They walked along, two continents of experience and feeling, unable to communicate.
"If I could only get a pig!"
"I'll come back and go on with the shelter."
They looked at each other, baffled, in love and hate. All the warm salt water of the bathing-pool and the shouting and splashing and laughing were only just sufficient to bring them together again.

Simon, whom they expected to find there, was not in the bathing-pool.
When the other two had trotted down the beach to look back at the mountain he had followed them for a few yards and then stopped. He had stood frowning down at a pile of sand on the beach where somebody had been trying to build a little house or hut. Then he turned his back on this and walked into the forest with an air of purpose. He was a small, skinny boy, his chin pointed, and his eyes so bright they had deceived Ralph into thinking him delightfully gay and wicked. The coarse mop of black hair was long and wore the remains of shorts and his feet were bare like Jack's. Always darkish in colour, Simon was burned by the sun to a deep tan that glistened with sweat.

Lord of the Flies
William Golding

Se också
Citat hämtat ur "Hamlet"
Lite spontanitet