MS-WU-MSS008-3-50-2

[4143] in upon him from every side.

[4144] So this third day wore away. [4145] And about five o'clock I ate my last
tin of sardines and a few biscuits, with a good appetite. [4146] This left me
with only a few apples and a few biscuits. [4147] But about seven o'clock my
son arrived. The sun was low in the west. [4148] I must have dozed a moment,
for I did not see him coming, a speck on the horizon, then rapidly bigger
and bigger, as I had foreseen.

[4149] But he was already between me and the camp,
making for the latter, when I saw him. [4150] A wave of irritation broke over me,
I jumped to my feet and began to vociferate, brandishing my umbrella. [4151] He
turned and I beckoned him to join me, waving the umbrella as if I wanted
to hook something with the handle. [4152] I thought for a moment he was going
to defy me and continue on his way to the camp, to where the camp had been
rather, for it was there no more. [4153] But ^{finally he came} towards me.

[4154] He was pushing a bicycle which, when he had joined me, he let fall with a
gesture signifying he could bear no more. [4155] Pick it up, I said, till I look
at it. [4156] I had to admit it must once h^ave been quite a good bicycle. [4157] I
would gladly describe it, I would gladly write four thousand words on it
alone. [4158] And you call that a bicycle? I said. [4159] Only half expecting him to
answer me I continued to inspect it.

[4160] But there was something so strange
in his silence that I looked up at him. [4161] His eyes were starting out of his
head. [4162] What's the matter, I said, is my fly open? [4163] He let go the bicycle
again. [4164] Pick it up, I said. [4165] He picked it up. [4166] What happened to you? he
said. [4167] I had a fall, I said. [4168] A fall? he said. [4169] Yes, a fall, I cried, ^[⁁]did
you never ^[⁁]have a fall?

[4170] I tried to remember the name of the plant that
springs from the ejaculations of the hanged and shrieks when ^plucked.
[4171] How much did you give for it? I said. [4172] Four pounds, he said. [4173] Four pounds!
I cried. [4174] If he had said two pounds or even thirty shillings I should have
cried, Two pounds! or^, Thirty shillings! the same. [4175] They asked four pounds
five, he said. [4176] Have you the receipt? I said. [4177] He did not know what a