MD3PAD 178-180

[Toby G Levy]

        Mason studies Jenkins' ear in it's glass case. It seems to come
to attention, and Mournival says that the ear is indeed listening and in
fact can't get enough words to listen to.  Mournival sometimes reads to
the ear, including passages from The Ghastly Fop, last mentioned about
60 pages ago by Maskelyne decrying the public's passion for gothic
novels.

        Mournival insists that Mason tell something private to the ear.
He resists but Mournival threatens him and thrusts the ear upon Mason,
also charging him for the privilege. Mason is afraid, but remembers
that he survived "the Royal Baby," which was a ritual aboard the
Seahorse mentioned back on page 56.  Here's a full explanation of the
ritual:

http://www.hyperarts.com/pynchon/mason-dixon/extra/info.html#baby

Mason wants to wish Rebekah back to life, but he actually speaks a wish
that Dixon make safe passage back to St Helena and help keep Mason sane.
This must be a flashback since Dixon is described as having returned to
St Helena back on page 165.

vw#52: priapic - Of, relating to, or resembling a phallus; phallic.

        Mason finally emerges from the museum, finding himself back in
the garden. But the walls seem to have grown since he entered and he
walks the perimeter searching for a gate.  He cannot remember how he
emerged from the garden.  Mason does not tell Dixon about this until
they are a few days out at sea on the way back to England.

        Dixon claims that he heard Mason's wish while he was sitting in
the World's End pub in Capetown. At first Mason believes Dixon, but then
realizes he is pulling his leg.

        Dixon offers to teach Mason how they fish in Durham.

Toby