| why is it asked brander that your beard is so very long? the beard now is it replied mcguire does it threaten you? are you disturbed by this notre dame cathedral of hair i am not threatened protested brander but yes disturbed it may harbour sparrows, bats, mice, rats or any form of vermin as to that said mcguire a man who considers sparrows, bats, mice and rats as vermin is a poor and timid civilised thing besides i only raise hamsters and they are presently absent ah yes said brander and there are those who love the cockroach yet still i wonder is it that you fear the razor? is it that you cannot bring the steel to your face or your face to the steel? i will not do so replied brander for steel and flesh are mortal foes but then said brander fingering a desert chin the shaving is a form of contemplation emptying the mind to the infinite oh the infinite is it growled mcguire that piece of timeless nonsense if the infinite is your aim and you are not a nasty young poser whose life is defined by the smell of the latest chemical aftershave how much better to sit each day and listen to the growing of your beard |
| Of Beards and Eternity |
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