MS-WU-MSS008-3-50-2

[3218] before I forget. [3219] Two holes were bored in the brim, one on either side of
course, I had bored them myself, with my little gimlet. [3220] And in these holes
I had secured the ends of an elastic long enough to pass under my chin,
under my jaws rather, but not too long, for it had to sit firmly ^{hold fast}, under my
jaws rather. [3221] In this way, however great my exertions, my boater stayed in
its place, which was on my head. [3222] Shame on you, I cried, you ill-bred
little pig!

[3223] I would get angry if I were not careful. [3224] And anger is a
luxury I cannot afford. [3225] For then I go blind, blood veils my eyes and I
hear what the great Gustave heard, the benches creaking in the court of
assizes. [3226] Oh it's ^{it is} not without scathe that one is gentle, courteous,
reasonalb,^ble, patient, day after day, year after year. [3227] I threw down my
umbrella and ran from the room. [3228] On the stairs I met Martha coming up,
capless, dishevelled, her clothes in disorder. [3229] What's going on? she cried.

[3230] I looked at her. [3231] She went back to her kitchen. [3232] Trembling I hastened to
the shed, seized my axe, went into the yard and began hacking madly at an
old chopping-block that lay there and on which in winter, tranquilly, I
split my logs. [3233] Finally the blade sank into it so deeply that I could not
get it out. [3234] The efforts I made to do so brought me, with exhaustion, calm.
[3235] I went upstairs again. [3236] My son was getting dressed ^dressing. He was crying.

[3237] Everybody was crying. [3238] I helped him put on his knapsack. [3239] I told him not
to forget his raincoat. [3240] He began to put it in his knapsack. [3241] I told him
to keep ^carry it over his arm, for the moment. [3242] It was nearly midnight. [3243] I
picked up my umbrella. [3244] Intact. [3245] Get on, I said. [3246] He went out of the room
which I paused for a moment to survey, before I followed him. [3247] It was in
a shambles. [3248] The night was fine, in my humble opinion.

[3249] Scents filled the
air. [3250] The gravel crunched under our feet. [3251] No, I said, this way. [3252] I entered
the little wood. [3253] My son floundered behind me, bumping into the trees. [3254] He
did not know how to find his way in the dark. [3255] He was still young, the words
of reproach died on my lips. [3256] I stopped. [3257] Take my hand, I said. [3258] I might