January 19, 2005

In memory of the riviverend

ARCHIE. ... What makes a cow give milk?

RICHARD. [Takes his hand.] Who knows? Do you understand what it is to give a thing?

ARCHIE. To give? Yes.

RICHARD. While you have a thing it can be taken from you.

ARCHIE. By robbers? No?

RICHARD. But when you give it, you have given it. No robber can take it from you. [He bends his head and presses his son's hand against his cheek.] It is yours then for ever when you have given it. It will be yours always. That is to give.

...

ARCHIE. Are there robbers here like in Rome?

RICHARD. There are poor people everywhere.

-- James Joyce, Exiles