(I translate the
amount), as joint purchasers of certain pieces of yellow ore, a blanket,
and sundry articles found without an owner in the King's preserves. This
paper was dated, as the permit had been, XIX. xii. 29.
My father, generally so ready, was at his wits' end for a name, and could
think of none but Mr. Nosnibor's. Happily, remembering that this
gentleman had also been called Senoj--a name common enough in Erewhon--he
signed himself "Senoj, Under-ranger."
Panky was now satisfied. "We will put it in the bag," he said, "with the
pieces of yellow ore."
"Put it where you like," said Hanky contemptuously; and into the bag it
was put.
When all was now concluded, my father laughingly said, "If you have dealt
unfairly by me, I forgive you. My motto is, 'Forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive them that trespass against us.'"
"Repeat those last words," said Panky eagerly. My father was alarmed at
his manner, but thought it safer to repeat them.
"You hear that, Hanky? I am convinced; I have not another word to say.
The man is a true Erewhonian; he has our corrupt reading of the
Sunchild's prayer."
"Please explain."
"Why, can you not see?" said Panky, who was by way of being great at
conjectural emendations. "Can you not see how impossible it is for the
Sunchild, or any of the people to whom he declared (as we now know
provisionally) that he belonged, could have made the forgiveness of his
own sins depend on the readiness with which he forgave other people? No
man in his senses would dream of such a thing.
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