MS-WU-MSS008-3-50-1

[0381] 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 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, m^y 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 a moment later. [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 p^uushing 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