“If this is a fallacy for metaphysic, so much the worse for metaphysic.”
“That is argumentum ad hominem .”
“I am not afraid of it.”
“But what can you put in place of metaphysic?”
“Life is larger.”
“I know. I know. I know. Something exists. Metaphysic admits that. I nearly shouted when Dr. McHibbert said that. It’s enough. It answers everything. Even to have seen it for a moment is enough. The first time I thought of it I nearly died of joy. Descartes should have said ‘I am aware that there is something, therefore I am.’ If I am, other people are; but that does not seem to matter. That is their own affair.”
“Beware of solipsism.”
“I don’t care what it is called. It is certainty. You must begin with the individual. There we are again.” There was an end to the conversation that could not be shared. The words of it already formed, intangibly, waited, ready to disappear, until she should be alone and could read them on a clear background. If she stayed they would disappear irrevocably.