第33部分(第7/7 頁)

They　do　not　grow　wise。　They　grow　careful。〃

〃Perhaps　that　is　wisdom。〃

〃It　is　a　very　unattractive　wisdom。　What　do　you　value　most？〃

〃Some　one　I　love。〃

〃With　me　it　is　the　same。　That　is　not　wisdom。　Do　you　value　life？〃

〃Yes。〃

〃So　do　I。　Because　it　is　all　I　have。　And　to　give　birthday　parties；〃　he　laughed。　〃You　are　probably　wiser　than　I　am。　You　do　not　give　birthday　parties。〃

We　both　drank　the　wine。

〃What　do　you　think　of　the　war　really？〃　I　asked。

〃I　think　it　is　stupid。〃

〃Who　will　win　it？〃

〃Italy。〃

〃Why？〃

〃They　are　a　younger　nation。〃

〃Do　younger　nations　always　win　wars？〃

〃They　are　apt　to　for　a　time。〃

〃Then　what　happens？〃

〃They　bee　older　nations。〃

〃You　said　you　were　not　wise。〃

〃Dear　boy；　that　is　not　wisdom。　That　is　cynicism。〃

〃It　sounds　very　wise　to　me。〃

〃It's　not　particularly。　I　could　quote　you　the　examples　on　the　other　side。　But　it　is　not　bad。　Have　we　finished　the　champagne？〃

〃Almost。〃

〃Should　we　drink　some　more？　Then　I　must　dress。〃

〃Perhaps　we'd　better　not　now。〃

〃You　are　sure　you　don't　want　more？〃

〃Yes。〃　He　stood　up。

〃I　hope　you　will　be　very　fortunate　and　very　happy　and　very；　very　healthy。〃

〃Thank　you。　And　I　hope　you　will　live　foreve