44 Scotland Street - Alexander McCall Smith [125]
“I have a list of famous Belgians somewhere,” said Domenica rather absently. “But I think I’ve mislaid it.”
“It’ll turn up,” said Angus Lordie, taking a sip of his whisky.
“These things do. Did I tell you, by the way, that I composed a hymn about Belgium? The Church of Scotland has been revising its hymnary and was asking for more modern contributions. I composed one of which I was really rather proud. I called it God looks down on Belgium.”
“And the words?” asked Domenica.
Angus Lordie cleared his throat. “The first verse goes as follows,” he began:
God Looks Down on Belgium
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God’s never heard of Belgium,
But loves it just the same,
For God is kind
And doesn’t mind –
He’s not impressed with fame.
After he had finished, he folded his hands and looked at Domenica. Pat felt uncertain. Was this serious? She had enjoyed the Chinese poem which he had declaimed to her in Scotland Street, but this hymn seemed . . . well, he couldn’t possibly mean it. Domenica looked at Angus Lordie and raised an eyebrow.
“Did the Church of Scotland use it?” she asked.
“Inexplicably, no,” said Angus Lordie. “I had a very polite letter back, but I fear that they feel that it’s not suitable. I suppose it’s something to do with comity within Europe. We have to pretend to take Belgium seriously.”
“We live in such a humourless age,” Domenica remarked. “It used to be possible to laugh. It used to be possible to enjoy oneself with fantasies – such as your ridiculous hymn – sorry, Angus
– but now? Well, now there are all sorts of censors and killjoys. Earnest, ignorant people who lecture us on what we can think and say. And do you know, we’ve lain down and submitted to the whole process. It’s been the most remarkable display of passivity. With the result that when we encounter anybody who thinks independently, or who doesn’t echo the received wisdoms of the day, we’re astonished.”
“In such a way is freedom of thought lost,” said Angus Lordie, who had been listening very attentively to Domenica. “By small cuts. By small acts of disapproval. By a thousand discouragements of spirit.”
They were all silent for a moment as they reflected on what had been said. Domenica and Angus Lordie appeared to be in agreement, but Pat was not so sure. What was the point about being rude about Belgium? Surely we had made moral progress in recognising the sensitivities of others and in discouraging disparaging comments? What if a Belgian were to hear the words of that hymn? Would a Belgian not be gratuitously offended?
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In Scotland Street Tunnel
And surely one should never criticise people for things that they cannot help – such as being Belgian?
Pat was thinking this when she became aware that the eyes of the other two were on her.
“You must understand something, my dear,” Domenica said to her. “Angus is not to be taken seriously.”
Angus Lordie nodded. “Absolutely right,” he said. “But listen, Domenica, I’m feeling bored and I want some excitement. I was wondering whether you would care to show Pat here and me the tunnel. I get a distinct feeling this is a night for exploration – of every sort.”
Domenica glanced at Pat. It was a glance that was rich in moral warning.
92. In Scotland Street Tunnel
Pat had heard that Scotland Street – the street itself – was built over a Victorian railway tunnel. Bruce had pointed out to her that the basements on either side of the street went appreciably lower than was normal for the New Town – that was because the street was supported by the roof of the tunnel. In Scotland Street Tunnel
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“I know quite a lot about these things,” he said. “Just ask me if there’s anything you want to know.”
Now, accompanied by Domenica and Angus Lordie, she stood outside a low door in the space outside the lowest basement floor of their block. Above