THE PHILOSOPHY OF FAILURE 171 



irony. And yet who knows ? It is ill crossing swords 

 with Fate. She might give the philosopher the chance 

 of his lifetime, perhaps in the Mayfly season on some 

 stream far from home, and then, having taken away 

 his repairing outfit, break his rod for him in the middle 

 joint. Even he might then be indignant. 



