The Equinox (Volume I, Number VI)

THE ORDEAL OF IDA PENDRAGON “And if you should succeed, and equalise the count?” “ Ι have no idea.” “ But—" “ Ungenerous, unsympathetic youth! I wager you have not divined my difficulty?" " It al! seems very difficult." " But my supreme, my crushing doubt?” “ Ι cannot guess, sir." " This! In your ear, my young friend. This! I cannot remember which way always to twiddle.” Rolles drew back dazed. " Read Nietzsche ! ” snapped the Brother. " But—but—” he stammered. " Oh I this is it. Miss Pendragon comes out in four days‘ time . . ." “I wish you’d learnt twiddling,” said the Brother sadly. " But what am I to do, sir?” “Twiddle, you damned fool ! " “I know you always mean something . . . " Never. There is Nothing to mean l " " Oh I " " Be off, I can’t be bothered with you—be off! I send you packing. Is l'ha! clear ? " " You have nothing to say to me?” “What have I been saying this priceless past fourteen minutes twenty-seven seconds? Ape! Goat! Imbecile! Dullardl Poopstiekl Do you think one can recover lost time? One must talk English to you—English, you hotel blotting-paper, you unabsorbent wad of pulp! English, you Englishman l " Rolles nearly lost his temper at the final insult. VI K 145 װ