In lieu of an abstract, here is a brief excerpt of the content:

42 Invention My father’s uncle, I think, or maybe an elder cousin was an inventor, at least of a method of asking for money tactfully. The devices he dreamed up were useful only as pretexts to save the feelings of those he would put the bite on as well as his own, which were also no doubt at risk. You can’t just go to a relative (again) and hold out your hand and beg for money for food. Avoiding such awkwardness, he offered to sell shares in his latest scheme or contraption. You know what had to happen: one of the stupid ideas was for a door that when it was open was closed. My grandfather laughed and sent him away with nothing for having abandoned the plausibility good manners required. But what could he do, the uncle or cousin, having at last thought up something that really could work? The revolving door is, when it’s open, closed, and closed when it’s open, as only a poor man can understand, having seen how God’s hand works in the world and having tried, in all his difficulties, not to lose his patience or lose faith. ...

Share