MS-WU-MSS008-3-50-2

[3979] pity for the tree held me back most of the time. [3980] And I numbered among
my familiars the dragon-tree of Teneriffe that perished at the age of
five thousand years, struck by lightning. [3981] It was an example of longevity.
[3982] The branch was thick and full of sap and did not burn when I stuck it
in the fire.

[3983] I held it by the thin end. [3984] The crackling of the fire, of the
writhing brands rather, for fire triumphant does not crackle, but makes
an altogether different noise, had permitted the man to come right up to
me, without my knowledge. [3985] If there is one thing infuriates me it is being
taken myself by surprise.

[3986] I continued then, in spite of my spas[p]^m of
fright, hoping it had passed unnoticed, to poke the fire as if I were
alone. [3987] But at the thump of his hand on my shoulder I had no choice but
to do what anyone else would have done in my place, and this I achieved
by suddenly spinning round in what I trust was a good imitation of fear
and anger.

[3988] There I was face to face with a dim man, dim of face and dim
of body, because of the dark. [3989] Put it there, he said. [3990] But little by
little I formed an idea of the type of individual it was. [3991] And indeed
there reigned between his various parts great harmony and concord, and
it could be truly said o^that his face was worthy of his body, and vice
versa.

[3992] And if I could have seen his arse, I do not doubt I should have
found it on a level ^par with the whole. [3993] What are you doing in this God-
-forsaken place, he said, [to] ^[⁁]you unexpected pleasure. [3994] And moving aside from
the fire which was now burning merrily^, so that its light fell full on the
intruder, I could see he was precisely the kind of pest I had thought he
was, without being sure, because of the dark. [3995] Can you tell me, he said.

[3996] I shall have to describe him briefly, though such a thing is contrary to
my principles. [3997] He was on the small side, but thick-set. [3998] He wore a thick
navy-blue suit (double-breasted) of hideous cut and a pair of outrageously
wide black shoes, with the toe-caps higher than the uppers. [3999] This dreadful
shape seems only to occur in black shoes. [4000] Do you happen to know, he said.