Digital Manuscript ProjectMalone meurt / Malone Dies

[2176] A last effort.
[2177] Lemuel gave the impression of being slightly
more stupid and than malevolent, and yet his malevioelce malevolence was considerable.
[2178] When Macmann, more and more disturbed by his situation apparently
and what is more now capable of isolating and expressing well enouggh
to be understood a little of the little that passed through his m
mind, when Maclmann I say asked a question it was seldom he got
an immediate answer.
[2179] When asked for example to state whether Saint
John of Gods was a private institution or run by by the State, a
hospice for the aged and infirm or a madhouse, if once in one might
entertain the hope of one day getting out and, in the affirmative,
[2179]
by means of what steps, Lemuel remained for a long time plunged in
thought, sometimes for as long as ten minutes or a quearter of an
hour, motionless or if you prefer scratching his head or his armpit,
as if such questions had never crossed his mind, or possibly think-
ing about something quite different.
[2180] And if Macmann, growing im-
patient or perhaps feeling he had not made himself clear, ventured
to try again, an imperious gesture bid him be silent.
[2181] Such was this
Lemuel, viewed from a certain angle.
[2182] Or he cried, stamping the ground
with indescribable nervousness, Let me think, you shite!
[2183] It usually
ended by his saying he did not know.
[2184] But he was subject to almost
hypomaniacal fits of good-humour.
[2185] Then he would add, But I'll en-
quire.
[2186] And taking out a note-book as fat as a ship's log he made
note, murmuring, Private or state, mad or like us me, how out, etc.
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Malone meurt / Malone Dies © 2017 Samuel Beckett Digital Manuscript Project.
Editors: Dirk Van Hulle, Pim Verhulst and Vincent Neyt