MD3PAD 382-384

[Toby G Levy]

        Chapter 38 begins on page 382, picking up right where Chapter 37
left off, which is unusual for this book.  Mr. Dimdown has been drinking
steadily for the last three days and has taken offense to Armand's
comments on the new world.  He decides to attack Armand with a dagger,
despite Mr. Knockwood's efforts to calm him down.

        As Mr. Dimdown's dagger moves toward Armand's heart, it is
invisibly removed from Mr. Dimdown's hand and flies into the hottest
area of the fireplace.

        Armand tells the assembled group that they have now seen the
duck in action.

        Luise tells Armand that the duck is his guardian angel. Armand
and Luise begin to form a connection as they discuss ways to cook and
eat beaver.

        For the next few days, as they are stuck in the inn due to the
storm, Luise, Armand and the duck form a triangle. The duck includes
Luise in her circle of protection.

vw#87: Niveal - could this be a typo?  Nival means "growing in or under
the snow." This makes sense in context.  Also the dictionary has
Niveous, meaning "like snow, snowy."  But no Niveal. hmm.

        Strains occur within the inn under the confinement.  Squire
Haligast's pronouncements irritate people including a Mr. Whitpot who
complains aloud.

        Wicks passes the time writing in his memorandum book his
thoughts on cannibalism and how it relates to an essay by British
mathematician Reverend Brook Taylor entitled "On the Lawfulness of
Eating Blood."

        Mr. Knockwood sees that the snow is now level to an upstairs
window sill, and consults Mason and Dixon as to the quality of air in
the rooms below. Armand and Luise are seen embracing in the pantry.

Toby