The Enormous Room by E. E. (Edward Estlin) Cummings
page 145 of 322 (45%)
page 145 of 322 (45%)
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certain part of the world; or he is predicting that the Germans will
march upon the French by way of Switzerland; or he is teaching us to count and swear in Arabic; or he is having a very good time in the Midi as a tinker, sleeping under a tree outside of a little town.... Afrique's is an alert kind of mind, which has been and seen and observed and penetrated and known--a bit there, somewhat here, chiefly everywhere. Its specialty being politics, in which case Afrique has had the inestimable advantage of observing without being observed--until La Ferte; whereupon Afrique goes on uninterruptedly observing, recognising that a significant angle of observation has been presented to him gratis. _Les journaux_ and politics in general are topics upon which Afrique can say more, without the slightest fatigue, than a book as big as my two thumbs. "Why yes, they got water, and then I gave them coffee," Monsieur, or more properly Mynheer _le chef_, is expostulating; the _planton_ is stupidly protesting that we are supposed to be upstairs; Afrique is busily stirring a huge black pot, winking gravely at us and singing softly "_Le bon Dieu, Soul comme un cochon...._" VI APOLLYON The inhabitants of The Enormous Room whose portraits I have attempted in |
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