MS-TCD-4662

[0847] of gnarled roots, stones and baked mud
[0848] And so he went, often unnoticed,
in spite his strange walk, his halts and
sudden starts.

[0849] Or the Louis saw him, from
far off or from near by, or some
of them from far off and the others from near
by,

[0849] suddenly emerge from behind the
washing and set off along the path, without
trying to detain him or even calling goodbye,
and without taking umbrage at his leaving them
in a way apparently so lacking in friendliness,
for they knew he meant no harm.

[0850] Or if at the time they could not ^{but feel} a
little vexed, this feeling was quite
dispelled a very little later, ^{when they found lying} on the kitchen table the crumpled
paper-^bag containing a few little
articles of haberdashery.

[0851] And these humble
but useful gifts, and this delicate way
of giving, disarmed them too at the sight
of the bowl of goat's milk only half emptied,
or untouched, and prevented them from
regarding this as an affront, in the way
tradition required.

[0852] But
it appears on reflexion that Sapo's departure
can seldom have escaped them. [0853] For ^at the
least movement in the neighbourhood of their
land, were it only that of a bird
alighting or taking to wing, they raised their
heads and opened wide their eyes.

[0854] And even
on the road, of which segments were visible
more than a mile away, nothing could occur
without their knowing it, and they were able
not only to recognize all those who passed along
it and whom the interval reduced to the
dimensions of a pin's head, but also to divine
where they were coming from, where they going to,
and for what purpose.

[0855] Then they
cried the news to one another, but they often
worked at a great distance apart, or they
exchanged signals, all erect and facing towards
the event, for it was one, before bowing themselves
down again to mother earth. [0856] And at
the first spell of rest enjoyed in common,