MS-HRC-SB-4-3

[2173] My name is Lemuel, he said, though my parents were probably
Art Aryan, and it is in my charge you will be ^are from now on.
[2174] Here is it your porridge. [2175] Eat is while it is boiling.

[2176] A last effort. [2177] Lemuel gave the impression of being slightly
more stupid and ^than malevolent, and yet his malevi^oelce ^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 enou^ggh
to be understood a little of the little that passed through his m
mind, when Macl^mann 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 que^arter 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 no^t 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.