Summary

The Old Soldier

This is a letter from Flaubert. He has returned to an old ruins that he used to visit in his youth. He goes to a small tavern where he sees an old man dressed in his uniform. Flaubert speaks about how things will be when he is old.

Two Sligo Lads

The narrator sees two boys on their way to work in a factory. Suddenly they are scooped up onto a carnival ride, and they shout out at the narrator. Their cries sound like seagulls.

The Woman in Red

This is a dream. The narrator sees a woman in red who protects her from a red snake that rears up. The woman gets rid of the snake by laying down three red hats on the surface of a puddle of water...