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Whenever the conversation reached this point McCann refused to follow it further. The discussions usually ended in a deadlock:



— But you go mountain-climbing in search of fresh air?



— Yes.



— And bathing in the summertime?



— Yes.



— And surely the mountain air and the salt water act as stimulants!



— Natural stimulants, yes.



— What do you call an unnatural stimulant?



— Intoxicating drinks.



— But they are produced from natural vegetable substances, aren't they?



— Perhaps, but by an unnatural process.



— Then you regard a brewer as a high thaumaturgist?



— Intoxicating drinks are manufactured to satisfy artificially induced appetites. Man, in the normal condition, has no need for such props to life.



— Give me an example of man in what you call 'the normal condition.'



— A man who lives a healthy, natural life.



— Yourself?



— Yes.



— Do you then represent normal humanity?



— I do.



— Then is normal humanity short-sighted and tone-deaf?



— Tone-deaf?



— Yes: I think you are tone-deaf.



— I like to hear music.



— What music?



— All music.



— But you cannot distinguish one air from another.



— No: I can recognise some airs.



— For instance?



— I can recognise 'God save the Queen.'



— Perhaps because all the people stand up and take off their hats.



— Well, admit that my ear is a little defective.



— And your eyes?



— They too.



— Then how do you represent normal humanity?



— In my manner of life.





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