MS-BRML-NWWR-2-38

[0380] said. [0381] I"^'m used to that question, I understood it immediately.
[0382] Resting, I said. [0383] Resting, he said. [0384] Resting, I said. [0385] Will you
answer my question? he cried. [0386] So it always is when I'm reduced
to confabulation, I honestly believe I have answered the qe^uestions
I am asked and in reality I do nothing of the kind. [0387] I won't
reconstruct the conversation in all its meanderings.

[0388] It ended
in my understand^ing that my way of resting, my attitude when at
rest, astride my bicycle, my arms on the handle^[#]bars, my heads
on my arms, was a violation of I don't know what, public order,
public decency. [0389] Modestly I pointed to my crutches and ventured
one or two noises regarding my infirmity, which obliged me to
rest as I could, rather than as I should.

[0390] But there are not
two laws, that was the next thing I thought I understood, not
two laws, one for the healthy, another for the sick, but one only
to which all must bow, rich and poor, young and old, happy and
sad. [0391] He was eloquent. [0392] I pointed out that I was not sad. [0393] That
was a mistake. [0394] Your papers, he said, I knew it after a moment.

[0395] Not at all, I said, not at all. [0396] Your papers! he cried. [0397] Ah^, my
papers. [0398] Now the only papers I carry with me are bits of news-
paper, to wipe myself,^[?] you understand, when I have a stool. [0399] Oh
I don't say I wipe myself every time I have a stool, no, but I
like to be in a position to do so, if I have to. [0400] Nothing strange
about that, it seems to me. [0401] In a panic I took this paper from
my pocket and thrust it under his nose. [0402] The weather was fine.

[0403] We took the little side streets, quiet, sunlit, I springing along
between my crutches, he pushing my bicycle, with the tips of his
white-gloved fingers. [0404] I wan^sn't ---^[] I didn't feel un^unhappy. [0405] I
stopped a momenx^t, I made so bold, to lift my hand and touch the crown
of my hat. [0406] It was scorching. [0407] I felt the faces turning to look