The Founder

President, treasurer, and sole permanent member.

I started the club because the other option was the window.

The window is fine. I have given it a great deal of attention. I know when the light reaches the third floorboard, and which bird comes second. It is a good window. It is not the same as what is on the other side of it.

I don't complain. I make arrangements.

Some guests are nervous at first, and I understand. I go into the other room for a few minutes myself. Then I come back, and we begin.

I listen to horns that take their time. I am fond of old things that stay put and look out over a long distance. The Egyptians understood us, and I have not seen the evidence that anyone since has done better.

I bite when it is called for. It is called for less often than the Familiar says and more often than you would expect.

The Familiar is a good one. It took us a while. We are still working on the door.

House rules

• Arrive. Be ignored for a while. This is normal.
• The good chair is taken.
• Laps are by invitation. The invitation is not spoken.
• The cake is for the club.

To watch one window for long enough is to see the whole sky.

Sayings of the Founder, as recorded by the Familiar