Simple Traveller

Infirmity of body,

Imbecility of mind,

or Inevitable necessity.

Quoted above are the three reasons for travelling abroad, according to Laurence Sterne (A Sentimental Journey through France and Italy). The enlightened reader may make up his/her own mind, as to why I travelled to Zeeland early this morning.

At five of the clock, 't was excessively quiet and serene all about - and hazy into the bargain. The presence of animals of the mammalian species, I failed to detect, in attendance was merely the wonted array of gulls, at the river's edge, prodding halfheartedly in the dirt.

The prevailing wind was not the usual Zephyrus, but an unforeseen Boreas - or rather, a Boreas-Eurus, and this, despite the balmy temperature.

Around eight of the clock, a conveyance of the robust, valiant type, apparently built and equipped to conquer vast wildernesses, drove past the spot where I reside - luckily, without slowing down. t' Was, moreover, on both flanks adorned with the letters 'Rijkswaterstaat', or some such gibberish. However, soon after, it returned from whence it came, this time coming to a halt at a distance of a few paces. Promptly, a gentleman alighted from the vehicle. - Am I allowed to satisfy my curiosity, Dear Sir, asked he of me. - Your most obedient servant, quoth I, pulling off my hat. 

Silence.

Then, - Might I inquire of you, Sir, are you intending to add any Shipping, any of the Fine Trading Vessels, I can perceive,... at all?

- Heaven forfend, replied I, aghast, 't is Space that interests me, not incidental particulars! Light, Sir, not the narration of a tale or legend!

Silence.

Then, - Would you, Monsieur (the fellow had in the meantime noticed my foreign inflection), Would Monsieur be intending to colour in his fine tableau, perchance? - How very droll, was my riposte, not bereft of a certain sarcasm in tone - would the Gentleman care to point out any other ommissions? Would Mylord the Connoisseur perhaps be agreeable to taking my place? And demonstrate his indubitable artifice?...

Upon glancing rearwards over my shoulder, a mere instant later, I notic'd that the fellow had parted in silence, without so much as an adieu. 

't Is ever so with the inquisitive, whether of the genteel kind, or common rabble: no sooner have they gratified their curiosity, than they start to find fault. Pshaw!

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