Life had never been so clear to him before. It had always been a

confused, entertaining spectacle, he had responded to this impulse and

that, seeking agreeable and entertaining things, evading difficult and

painful things. Such is the way of those who grow up to a life that

has neither danger nor honour in its texture. He had been muddled and

wrapped about and entangled like a creature born in the jungle who has

never seen sea or sky. Now he had come out of it suddenly into a great

exposed place. It was as if God and Heaven waited over him and all the

earth was expectation.

Not my business," said Mr. Polly, speaking aloud. "Where the devil do

I come in?"

And again, with something between a whine and a snarl in his voice,

not my blasted business!"

His mind seemed to have divided itself into several compartments, each

with its own particular discussion busily in progress, and quite

regardless of the others. One was busy with the detailed

interpretation of the phrase "Kick you ugly." There's a sort of French

wrestling in which you use and guard against feet. Watch the man's

eye, and as his foot comes up, grip and over he goes--at your mercy if

you use the advantage right. But how do you use the advantage rightly?

When he thought of Uncle Jim the inside feeling of his body faded away

rapidly to a blank discomfort....

289

The History of Mr Polly