MS-WU-MSS008-3-50-2

[2929] where I put my legs. [2930] Since your dinner is uneatable, I said, be good
enough to prepare [me] a packet of sandwiches, with the chicken you couldn't
finish. [2931] My son came back at last. [2932] That's all the thanks you get for
having a minute thermometer. [2933] He handed it to me. [2934] Did you have time to
wipe it? I said. [2935] Seeing me a^squint at the mercury he went to the door and
switched on the light.

[2936] How remote Youdi was at that instant. [2937] Sometimes
in the winter, coming home harassed and weary after a day[']s^oof fruitless
errands, I would find my slippers warming in front of the fire, the uppers
turned to the flame. [2938] He had a temperature. [2939] There's nothing wrong with
you, I said. [2940] May I go up? he said. [2941] What for? I said. [2942] To lie down, he
said. [2943] Was ^not this the desired ^{[⁁]providential} hindrance for which I could not be held
responsible? [2944] Doubtless, but I did not ^{[⁁]would never} dare invoke it.

[2945] I was not going to
expose myself to thunderbolts which might be fatal, simply because my son
had the gripes. [2946] If he fell seriously ill on the way, it would be another
matter. [2947] It was not for nothing I had studied the old testament. [2948] Hag^ve you
shat, my child, I said gently. [2949] I've tried, he said. [2950] Do you want to, I
said. [2951] Yes, he said. [2952] But nothing comes, I said. [2953] No, he said. [2954] A little
wind, I said. [2955] Yes, he said. [2956] Suddenly I remembered Father Ambrose's cigar.

[2957] I lit it. [2958] We'll see what we can do, I said, getting up. [2959] We went upstairs.
[2960] I gave him an enema, with salt water. [2961] He struggled, but not for long. [2962] I
withdrew the nozze^le. [2963] Try and hold it, I said, don't stay sitting on the
pot, lie flat on your stomach. [2964] We were in the bathroom. [2965] He lay down on
the tiles, his big fat bottom sticking up. [2966] Let it soak well in, I said.

[2967] What a day. [2968] I looked at the ash on my cigar. [2969] It was firm and blue. [2970] I
sat down on the edge of the bath. [2971] The porcelain, the mirrors, the
chromium, instilled a great peace within me. [2972] At least I suppose it was
they. [2973] It wasn't a great peace in any case. [2974] I got up, laid down my cigar
and brushed my incisors. [2975] I also brushed the back gums. [2976] I looked at myself,