one more snippet
Scottie Bowman (bowman@mail.indigo.ie)
Tue, 10 Feb 1998 08:32:52 +0000
Despite my earlier promise, I shall make just one exception -
this in regard to our author's extramural interests. He no longer
plays any game or sport. He has, however, developed a late &
rather unexpected interest.
When he discovered that my wife, an Irish girl, was secretary of
the local Scottish Country Dance Association, nothing would do
him but he must start taking lessons in the various sets -
reels, strathspeys, hornpipes & so on. It soon became obvious
however that, as well as the music & physical activity, he was
greatly attracted by the thought of wearing highland gear: the kilt,
the dirk, the sporran & all the rest of it.
I tried to dissuade him.
`For goodness sake,' I said, `have you any idea how this
will go down with your numberless admirers ?'
`Can't worry about them, buddy.'
`Don't you care about them ? How this will look to them ?
Don't you give one damn about the people that live - actually
live each passing moment of their lives - through all these
unforgettable characters you've created ? Only the other day,
there was a chap from Australia making this very point.'
`Well, that's pretty sad for them, buddy. Pass me that dagger.'
`It's not a dagger, Jerome. It's a dirk.'
`Well, whatever it is, pass it me.'
And off the two of them went, himself & my little wife, arm & arm,
leaving me to do the washing up. I sometimes wonder was I wise
inviting him here.
(I wish Steve hadn't brought up the Hemingway topic in this
particular environment, but yes, there *has* been a problem with
Ernest. A great deal of my time is taken up concealing the
existence of one from the other. And I need hardly mention the
drain on my own personal emotional reserves. Please don't mention
it again, Steve.)
Scottie B.