MDDM Washington & Gershom

[jbor]

on 17/1/02 10:09 AM, Doug Millison at millison at online-journalist.com wrote:

> I support John Bailey's rather sinister reading in this instance. If
> Washington didn't intend to to get them stoned,  would he tempt visitors
> with the smell? That would hardly be hospitable.   I doubt Dixon would have
> raised the question if W hadn't made it so obvious -- it's as if he was
> just looking for an excuse to offer a toke. Hospitable he is, but also more
> than a little calculating, it seems to me.

Where in the text does it say or imply that George is deliberately tempting
Cha. and Jere. with the smell of dope? He's out on the porch with them (and
I'd say it's more likely to be Gershom rather than Martha who's indulging in
a bit of an early-morning pick-me-up back inside the house). After all, it's
only just after breakfast time (279.14 - Gersh is quick to remind George
that he has already put paid to the left-overs) and George has already
started to ply his guests with the "excellent Punch" (276.18), which I think
is pretty certainly alcoholic. (278.24)

Dixon, as is his habit, and much to Mason's chagrin, simply "blurts"
(278.12) out whatever it is he is thinking or sensing. Jere. asks, George
provides. Graciously. It could as easily have been the "Aroma" of coffee to
which Dixon was attending. But it isn't.

best