The True Will 347
cocaine. However, I had something better to think
about. The question was how to reduce W to an
indefinitely small quantity in the formula :—
S-'. t m*
/r-tTM
t
Confound it, what was the use of making a rule of
silence at meals when everybody was breaking it in
the spirit if not in the letter? I got hot and red behind
the ears. Everybody from Big Lion with his tumbler
full of champagne to Dionysus with his liqueur glass
of the same was holding it out to me as if drinking to
my health. I availed myself of the rule which permits
us to leave the table without ceremony. I would go
back to the other house and work.
But a sudden thought struck me just as I got outside
the door. I sat down again on the stone seats, whipped
out a note-book and began my calculations. I saw my
way to a solution, jotted down my idea, and snapped
the book to in triumph.
It was then that I became aware that Big Lion was
putting a cigar in my mouth, and that everybody was
crowding around me and shaking hands. Was this
another of the buffoon’s stupid jokes?
“To what end ? ”’ said Big Lion, as he lighted my cigar.
I had sunk back in the bench in a sort of lazy triumph.
Nothing bothered me now. I could see my way to
solve my problem.
“You must say ‘attomplish great wort.
Dionysus, in a tone of dignified reproach.
“Confound the Great Work!” I replied pettishly,
and then became sorry for myself.
I picked up my Pagan friend, took him on my knee,
and began to stroke his head. He snuggled up to me
delightfully.
“You must excuse us,” said Hermes very seriously,
“but we're all so glad.”
a 92
said