[Roger the Chapman 05] - Eve of Saint Hyacinth (32 page)

But not for too long. As soon as new life began to stir in the earth, the trees to bud, the flowers to blossom, I should be off once more on my travels. I could not bear the confines of four walls indefinitely; I should be on my way, savouring again the pleasures of the open road, abandoning Elizabeth to her doting granddam. I was not proud of the fact, but I knew myself too well to be blind to my faults.

I was as God made me, a wanderer - at least I was in those green years. Today it is a different story.