MS-WU-MSS008-3-50-1

[1840] else, and then went silent, leaving me on the rocks ^{[⁁]stranded}. [1841] So I knew my
imperatives well, and yet I submittee^d to them. [1842] It had become a habit.
[1843] It is true they nearly all bore on the same question, that of my relations
with my mother, and on the need to bring ^{[⁁]importance of bringing} as soon as possible some light
to bear on them ^[⁁]these and even on the kind of light that should be brought to
bear and the most effective means of doing so.

[1844] Yes, these imperatives
were quite explicit, ^[₰] and even detailed until^, having set me in motion at
last^, they g^began to falter, an^then went silent, leaving me there like a
fool who neither knows where he is going nor why he is going there.
[1845] And they nearly all bore, as I may have said already, on the same painful
and thorny question.

[1846] And I do not think I could mention even one having
a different purport. [1847] And the one enjoining me then to leave the forest
without delay was in noxway different from those I was used to, as to its
meaning. [1848] For in its framing I thought I noticed something new. [1849] For after
the habitual ^[⁁]usual blarney there followed this solemn warning, Perhaps it is
already too late. [1850] It was in Latin, nimis sero, I think that's Latin.

[1851] Charming things, hypothetical imperatives. [1852] But if I had never succeeded
in liquidi^ating this matter of my mother, the fault must not be imputed
solely to that voice which deserted me, prematurely. [1853] It had its share ^{was partly to}
in the blame ^{responsible [⁁]blame}, that's all it can be reproached with. [1854] For the outer world
opposed my succeeding too, with its wiles, I have given you some examples^.
of them.

[1855] And even if the voice could have harried me to the very scene
of action, even then I might well have sucf^ceeded no better, because of
the other obstacles barring my way. [1856] And in this command which faltered,
then died, it was hard not to hear the unspoken entreaty, Don't do it,
Molloy. [1857] In forever reminding me thus of my duty was its purpose to show
me the follo^y of it? [1858] Perhaps. [1859] Fortunately it did no more than exhort ^stress,
the better to mock if you like, an innate velleity. [1860] And of myself,