MS-WU-MSS008-3-49

[0383] 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 question 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 understanding that my way of
resting, my attitude when at rest, astride my bicycle, my arms on
the handlebars, my head 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 newspaper, 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
wasn't — I didn't feel unhappy. [0405] I stopped a moment, 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 after us, calm faces