Ruined cottages

I’ve passed these cottages countless times without noticing that over the years they’ve become picturesque. But when I first saw them, they had roofs and looked as if someone might live there again; over the years the slates began to slide off, the vegetation to encroach. Then came the day when we were passing with friends. One of us laughed, quite loudly, and with a great, creaking sigh the whole roof collapsed.

I always feel it was our fault...