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Page 4 of 4
Chapter 4: Good things come to those who wait
A man is judged not only on what he accomplishes but also on whom he associates with, and with that truthful maxim in mind I reflected on the day’s progress with some satisfaction. While such complacency is not usually my wont I feel it important to experience different emotional states on a regular basis, with a view to maintaining some degree of mental sagacity.
Gazing at one’s navel is all very well when sitting on the comfortable chair that resides beside the fireplace in the study, however one should not indulge in such activity when driving on a busy suburban road, a fact that I discovered to the displeasure of my passengers and myself. Wintersbell, being keen of eye noted that small children, while not usually habituated on roads should still be avoided nonetheless. This was widely acclaimed by all to be a truth to which all Men should follow, which then required me to apply the car brakes in some haste.
With the car safely halted my passengers I exited somewhat urgently to verify the safety of the aforementioned child. Upon locating the said child I noted in some surprise that he appeared not concerned in the slightest with his sudden brush with death, to which Mother, who by now had joined us remarked that this child was clearly not gun-shy.
The child appeared to be contemplating something in the bushes off the road, which upon enquiry he confirmed with a distracted affirmative that I took in good spirit, as I too found my gaze drawn towards the rustling bushes. After what seemed like an Age I gradually became aware that Wintersbell trying to gain my attention, I know not how long he had sought this but I do know he had raised his voice to a near unseemly level. I remarked upon this to Wintersbell, knowing that in times past he had expressed a keen interest in matters linguistic. A lively discussion ensued between Wintersbell, Mother and myself, mother having spent a good deal of her professional life engaged public speaking and teaching the fair art of speech.
The bush now sadly forgotten, it was decided after much debate, and occasional conjecture that if matters are sufficiently urgent then it is acceptable to raise one’s voice, further that virtue lies not in the act of doing, but in the quiet reflection of the action later that day in front of a blazing fire and with a good sherry in one hand.
Having saved the life of a child, and explored the nature of virtue among other things, it was decided to finish the delivery of Wintersbell to his place of abode, which was done so in due haste, lest he raise his voice again. Our departure continued at a leisurely pace, leaving us time to enjoy the wonderful view of Dunedin that one gets from Pine Hill, pausing only a moment to contemplate the at odds colouration of White Island.
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