408
PARTISAN REVIEW
a downcast aspect of his nature, as
if
he were preoccupied with an–
noying problems. The Hoffmann apartment was pleasant and un–
remarkable. There were so many books, newspapers, and periodicals
around that the living room had a haphazard appearance which as
much as anything else made one feel comfortable there. I talked to
Mrs. Hoffmann and found her a cordial woman who seemed to be
intelligent,
if
rather smugly anti-intellectual. She was in every way as
affable as she was undistinguished. The only complaint against fate
she thought fit to mention was a sinus infection which had made her
life in New York less gratifying than it might otherwise have been.
Later in the afternoon the Hoffmann's daughter appeared. She was
about fifteen years old and her parents called her Elsa though she
spoke of herself as
Elsie,
probably because the former was too Ger–
man. Before the party was over Dr. Hoffmann and his wife had
learned that I was a neighbor and they both asked me to visit them
whenever I felt like it. They seemed entirely sincere in their wish to
see me and I felt sure we would come to know each other better.
When I left the young man from Kentucky told me, and with a
touch of unaccountable pride, that Dr. and Mrs. Hoffmann were the
most -amazing coupie he had ever met. His main reason for thinking
this, apart from his admiration for the man, was that Mrs. Hoff–
mann was a resolute atheist and yet she and her husband had
managed to make a happy life together. I shrugged my shoulders indif–
ferently and my friend seemed disappointed by my weak response.
Immediately I guessed that because I had broken away from the
church in Kentucky he had supposed Mrs. Hoffmann's lack of belief
would impress me. For some reason I couldn't help speaking sharply
and saying, "I'm not interested in atheists..The world's full of those.
What intrigues me is whether or not Dr. Hoffmann believes in God."
"Do you think there's .any question of it?" he said confidently.
He looked down at me as if I were stupid past all belief.
Due to the fact that I had no respect for him I felt free to speak
in the most dogmatic fashion and did so. "Well, you ·can't have it
both ways," I said.
"If
you want to be religious nowadays you ought
to give up all contact with the world because the two no longer mix.
What sort of religion is it that is completely outside our daily life and
the principles upon which our behavior is based?"
My friend had assumed his most lofty manner, but it was some–
how lacking in authenticity. I suppose he felt that he looked like a
serene and holy man, but
T
was reminded of the professional equani–
mity of skillful salesmen.
