The Subplot of the Happolati Invention

The protagonist's invention of the fictional character Happolati and his elaborate lies to an old man in the park.

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The Old Man's Newspaper

The Old Man's Newspaper The Curiosity An old man sits beside the protagonist, holding a newspaper parcel. The protagonist becomes obsessed with its contents, imagining secret documents. The Conversation Begins He offers the old man a cigarette. The man is nearly blind. He claims to know every stone in St. Olav's Place. The Lie about Address The protagonist gives a false address, St. Olav's Place No. 2, and invents the landlord's name: Happolati.

The Elaborate Lies

The Elaborate Lies The Agent for Everything The protagonist spins a tale: Happolati is an agent for cranberries from China, feathers from Russia, and writing-ink. He has invented an electric psalm-book. The Minister of State He claims Happolati was Minister of State in Persia for nine years. He describes his daughter Ylajali, a princess on a couch of yellow roses. The Old Man's Acceptance The old man accepts everything without question. This annoys the protagonist, who wants to shock him. He becomes angry and shouts at the man, who flees.

Afternoon, Part I

Same afternoon