MS-WU-MSS008-3-50-1

[0681] the name of my town, ^{[place = margin left] [₰]} I resolved to stop by the kerb, to wait for
a passer-by with a friendly and intelligent air, ^{[place = margin left] [₰]} and then to take ^{[place = supralinear] whip [place = margin right] [₰]}
off my hat and to ^{[place = margin left] [₰]} say, with my smile, I beg your pardon, ^{[place = margin right] [₰]} Sir,
excuse me Sir, what is the name of this town, if you please? [0682] For
the word once let fall I would know if it was the right word, the
one I was seeking, in my memory, or another, [0683] and so would know ^{[place = margin right] [₰]}
where I stood.

[0684] This resolution, actually formed as I rode along,
was never to be carried out, an absurd mishap prevented it. [0685] Yes,
my resolutions were remarkable in this, that they were no sooner
formed than something always happened to prevent their execution.
[0686] That must be why I am even less resolute now than then, just as then
I was ^{[place = supralinear] even} less so too, than I once had been.

[0687] But to tell the truth (to
tell the truth!) I have never been particularly resolute, I mean
subject to taking ^{[place = supralinear] [⁁]given to} resolutions, but rather inclined to plunge
headlong into the shit, without knowing who was shitting against
whom or on which side I had the better chance of skulking with
sucf ^{[place = overwritten] c}ess.

[0688] But from this leaning too I derived scant satisfaction
and if I have never quite got rid of it is ^{[place = margin right] it} is not for want of
trying. [0689] The fact is, it seems, that the most you can hope to be
is to be a little less,in the end, the creature you were in the
beginning, and the middle.

[0690] For I had hardly perfected my plan,
in my head, when my bicycle ran over a dog, as subsequently appeared,
and fell to the ground, with an ineptness all the more inexcusable ^{[place = supralinear] unpardonable [place = margin left] [₰]}
as the dog, duly leashed, was not out on the road, but in on the
pavement, docile at its mistresse ^{[place = supralinear] '}s heels. [0691] Precautions are like
resolutions, to be taken with precaution. [0692] The lady must have thought
she had left nothing to chance, so far as the safetl ^{[place = overwritten] y [place = overwritten] y} of her dog was