COLUMN: |
[to GASS] I don't like his eyes. |
GASS: |
[to GIMBLET] He's a foolish puppy. |
|
COLUMN: |
I have seen his works and they seem to me to
the most wretched, paltry, flimsy stuff that ever . . . |
|
GASS: |
What? What do you say? Why, why, I wish I could
see you write so. |
|
COLUMN: |
In my opinion, the author is
an errant blockhead. |
GASS: |
Your reason, your reason? Why, why, I think it
very abominable to call a man a blockhead whom you know nothing
about. |
|
COLUMN: |
Reason? I'll give you an example for your reason.
As I was walking along the street I saw a vast number of swallows
on the rails of an old Gothic square. They seemed to be going on
their way, as Pliny says. As I was looking up, a little "outre"
fellow, pulling me by the sleeve, cries: "Pray man, who do they
all belong to?" I turned myself about with great contempt. Said
I: "Go along you fool." "Fool," said he, "who do you call fool?
I only asked you a civil question." I had a great mind to have thrashed
the fellow, only he was bigger than I. |
|
GASS: |
Indeed, I do not think the man was a fool, for
he seems to me to have been desirous of enquiring into the works
of nature! |
|
COLUMN: |
[clenching his fists, prepares to give a formal
answer to the company, but, cut off by the Philosophers' loud laugh,
sits down] |
|
OBTUSE ANGLE: |
[enters] Well, Gentlemen, what is the cause of
strife? [sits at COLUMN'S table] |
|
QUID: |
They're only quarreling about Voltaire... |
|
SUCTION: |
...and having a bit of fun with him... |
|
SIPSOP: |
...while endeavoring to incorporate their souls
with their bodies. |
|