MS-HRC-SB-4-3

[0365] conferences usually ended. [0366] It was as though the Saposcats drew the
stren^gth to live from the prospect of their impotence. [0367] But sometimes,
before reaching that stage, they paused to consider the case of
their first-born. [0368] What age is he now? asked Mr Saposcat. [0369] His wife
provided the information, it being understood that this was of her
province. [0370] She was always wrong.

[0371] Mr Saposcat took over the erroneous
figure, murmuring it over and over to himself as though it were a
question of the rise in price of some indispensable commodity, such
as butcher's meat. [0372] And at the same time he sought in the appearance
of his son some alleviation of what he had just heard. [0373] Was it at
least a ni^ce ^sirloin? [0374] Sapo looked at his father's face, sad, astonished,
loving, disappointed, confident in spite of all.

[0375] Was ⁱt on the cruel
flight of the years he brooded, or on the time it was taking his son
to command a salary? [0376] Sometimes he stated wearily his regret that his
son should not be more eager to make himself useful, about the place.
[0377] It is better for him to prepare his examinations, said his wife.
[0378] Starting from a given theme their minds laboured in unison. [0379] They
had no conversation properly speaking.

[0380] They made use of the spoken
word in much the same way as the guard of a train makes use of his
flags, or of his lantern. [0381] Or else they said, This is where we get
down. [0382] And their son once signalled the^y wondered sadly if it was
not the mark of superior minds to fail miserably at the written
paper and cover themselves with ridicule at the viva voce.

[0383] They were
not always content to contemplate in silence the same landscape. [0384] At
least his health is good, said Mr Saposcat. [0385] Not all that, said his
wife. [0386] But no definite disease, said Mr Saposcat. [0387] A nice thing that
would be, at his age, said his wife. [0388] They did not know why