All the linear delicacy of the boy he had once been stood exposed now in the still, blindfolded face of her son. The clinging yellow hair, orderly on the white linen, was the same silk that had veiled her rings when she had smoothed his pillow in childhood; the cheekbone under the bandage had once, fresh and firm, been pressed to her own; the beautiful hands, lying loose on the damask, belonged to him and also to another man, whom she had placed before all others, and always would.
"All the linear delicacy of the boy he had once been stood exposed now in the still, blindfolded face of her son." This suggests a moment of vulnerability and recognition, where the father's perception of his son reveals both their physical and emotional similarities. The detailed description highlights the fragile beauty and innocence of childhood that has been momentarily laid bare.
The passage reflects on the deep connections between the mother and her children, emphasizing how their features and experiences are intertwined with love and memory. The mention of the girl’s golden hair and the mother's touch in childhood symbolize enduring bonds. The mother's devotion is also evident as she considers her son and another man, possibly hinting at her complex feelings and enduring commitment to those she loves.
