by john » December 30th, 2005, 1:52 pm
Firstly, let's get the facts straight: "Paddy" Moore (Edward Courtnay Francis "Paddy" Moore) was the name of Lewis' war buddy, and not the name of his mother (her name was Janie King Moore).
Lewis vowed to care for his friend's mother, which he honored. In fact, Mrs. Moore, Lewis, and his brother, Warnie, purchased "The Kilns" jointly, with title to the property being taken solely in the name of Mrs. Moore with the two brothers holding rights of life tenancy.
Whether or not there was a sexual relationship, I believe, is irrelevant. There are scholars on both sides of the fence who claim they have evidence to back up their theory.
If it bothers anybody to think that there might have been any hanky panky, perhaps it would put your mind at ease to know that C. S. Lewis was, at that time in his life, a devout atheist. It's been said that once he become a Christian, he ended any relationship he might have had with Mrs. Moore.
john
Chief Wardrobian