‘Yes, I am. I AM a fool. And thank God for it. I’m too big a fool to swallow your cleverness. God be praised. You go to your women — go to them — they are your sort — you’ve always had a string of them trailing after you — and you always will. Go to your spiritual brides — but don’t come to me as well, because I’m not having any, thank you. You’re not satisfied, are you? Your spiritual brides can’t give you what you want, they aren’t common and fleshy enough for you, aren’t they? So you come to me, and keep them in the background! You will marry me for daily use. But you’ll keep yourself well provided with spiritual brides in the background. I know your dirty little game.’ Suddenly a flame ran over her, and she stamped her foot madly on the road, and he winced,