Out of the Past — page 25: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

22 Out of the Past. with my surroundings. I played half the day away yes- terday and, in consequence, I had the whole monastery by the ears. No one could keep at prayers because of my playing, it seems. The Superior’s discourse was spoiled. The novitiates trampled the seedlings under my windows and failed in their tasks. The deliberative body of high authorities came to settle matters of high concern, forgot what they had come for, and departed in ashes of contrition. This adds a new temptation to my list. I would like to try my skill on as many worldlings who know what music is. But small chance of that. I have been admonished and banished to a tower-top with my offending paladin, where we will have the clouds and the sparrows to entertain. ““T had not counted on the pigeons. They come in droves and whirl about my head while I play. “The city lies beneath me in its wondrous meanings. They incite to long day dreaming. What are the dramas going forward, what tragedies, what forgotten lines of gentle simplicity are hidden under the roofs? ‘“ “What is the government doing? Will it bring Drey- fus back to trial or will he be found dead when sought for? What is it all about? And why does no one care for the ruined life of a man, and that other life ruined with his? Strange country—at times I think I am not ECONRNICLOOOKS»EO©