Atdtda29: Do let's not quarrel, 813-815

[Paul Nightingale]

Still in Trieste, Yashmeen and Cyprian are initially not identified here by
name. Yashmeen's appearance is noted, and Cyprian's pov is prioritised with,
in the first line, "... it seemed defiantly". Towards the bottom of 814
Cyprian is named, and again his pov is asserted: "... Cyprian had to admit".
The section ends with the reader offered an aside, one that presumably
Yashmeen doesn't and cannot hear. Yashmeen is finally named at the top of
815; given that the narrative adopts Cyprian's pov throughout, his
incomprehension at this moment ("It was difficult to tell ..." etc) might be
significant. Further down the page, Cyprian evidently affected by the music:
"It wasn't till Yashmeen nodded and released him ..." etc.

At the bottom of 814, the sailor brightens the scene: cf. "the indifference
of commerce" passage at the top of the page. And "quite presentable" echoes
Cyprian's earlier judgement on Yashmeen's striking appearance. At this time
he has been distracted, his attention moving from Yashmeen to the sailor.
Just above this passage, Cyprian's mind has wandered, recalling "one drunken
evening in Vienna": his decision "to give up tears as an unproductive
indulgence" relates to his pursuit of men as much as, if not more than, any
fears for Yashmeen's safety.

In the first instance, the introduction of music underscores Cyprian's
centrality: "... did not make things easier". The music also takes Cyprian
from the sailor, back to Yashmeen, who is now named: "... just as he turned
to bid Yashmeen a breezy arrivederci, they began to play ..." etc (815).
Subsequently: "The music took them for an instant into its autumnal
envelope, shutting out the tourist chatter ..." etc.