H. (returning to the attack), "I hope she turns you down."
"Thank you," I said.
"As for P——," he resumed, "she's double-Dutch to me."
"Go to the Berlitz School," I suggested, "and learn the language."
"You bally fool.... All you do is to sit there and smile like a sanguinary cat. Nothing I say ever rouses you. I believe if I came to you and said, 'Here, Professor, is a Beetle with 99 legs that has lived on granite in the middle of the Sahara for 40 days and 40 nights,' you'd simply answer, 'Yes, and that reminds me I've forgotten to blow my nose.'"
The two pyjamaed figures shake with laughing, the light goes out and the sanguinary conversation continues on similar lines until we fall asleep.
April 26.
Two Months' Sick Leave
In a horrible panic—the last few days—I believe I am developing locomotor ataxy. One leg, one arm, and my speech are affected, i.e. the right side and my speech centre. M—— is serious.... I hope the disease, whatever it is, will be sufficiently lingering to enable me to complete my book.
R—— is a dear man. I shall not easily forget his kindness during this terrible week.... Can the Fates have the audacity?... Who can say?