MS-WU-MSS008-3-50-2

[2231] Next I attacked, according to my custom, the capital question of the
effects to take with me. [2232] And on this subject too I should have come to a
quite ^otiose decision but for my son, who burst in wanting to know if
he might go out. [2233] I controlled myself. [2234] He was wiping his mouth with the
back of his hand, [2235] a thing I do not lⁱke to see. [2236] But there are uglier
gestures, I speak from experience.

[2237] Out? I said. Where? [2238] Out! [2239] Vagueness I abhor. [2240] I was beginning to
feel hungry. [2241] To the Elms, he replied. [2242] So we call our little public park.
[2243] And yet there is not an elm to be seen in it, I have been told. [2244] What for?
I said. [2245] To go over my botany, he replied. [2246] There were times I suspected
my son of deceit. [2247] This was one. [2248] I would almost have preferred him to say,
For a walk, or, To look at the ^tarts. The trouble was he knew far more
than I, about botany.

[2249] Otherwise I could have set him a few teasers, on
his return. [2250] Personally I just liked plants, in all innocence ^and simplic-
-ity. [2251] I even saw in them at times a superfetatory proof of the existence
of God. [2252] Go, I said, but be back at half-past four, I want to talk to you.
[2253] Yes papa, he said. [2254] Yes papa! [2255] Ah!

[2256] I slept a little. [2257] Faster, faster. [2258] Passing the church, something
made me stop. [2259] I looked at the door, baroque, very fine. [2260] I found it
hideous. [2261] I hastened on to the pres^bytery. [2262] The Father is sleeping, said
the servant. [2263] I ^can wait, I said. [2264] Is it urgent? she said. [2265] Yes and no,
I said. [2266] She showed me into the sitting-room, bare and bleak, dreadful.
[2267] Father Ambrose came in, rubbing his eyes. [2268] I disturb you, Father, I said.

[2269] He clicked his tongue against the roof of his mouth, protestingly. [2270] I
shall not describe our attitudes, characteristic his of him, mine of me.
[2271] He offered me a cigar which I accepted with good grace and put in my
pocket, between my fountain-pen and my propelling-pencil. [2272] He flattered
himself, Father Ambrose, with being a man of the world and knowing ^{its ways}