The Food of the Gods / Пища богов. Книга для чтения на английском языке

“It’s too much to hope,” said Bensington, “that one of the wasps —”

“The wasp has no more idea of public utility than a – than a House Agent,” said Redwood.

He talked for a little while about house agents and solicitors and people of that sort, in the unjust, unreasonable way that so many people do somehow get to talk of these business calculi (“Of all the cranky things in this cranky world, it is the most cranky to my mind of all, that while we expect honour, courage, efficiency, from a doctor or a soldier as a matter of course, a solicitor or a house agent is not only permitted but expected to display nothing but a sort of greedy, greasy, obstructive, over-reaching imbecility —” etc.

) – and then, greatly relieved, he went to the window and stared out at the Sloane Street traffic.

Bensington had put the most exciting novel conceivable on the little table that carried his electric standard. He joined the fingers of his opposed hands very carefully and regarded them. “Redwood,” he said.

“Do they say much about Us?”

“Not so much as I should expect.”

“They don’t denounce us at all?”

“Not a bit. But, on the other hand, they don’t back up what I point out must be done. I’ve written to the Times, you know, explaining the whole thing – ”

“We take the Daily Chronicle,” said Bensington.

“And the Times has a long leader on the subject – a very high-class, well-written leader, with three pieces of Times Latin – status quo is one – and it reads like the voice of Somebody Impersonal of the Greatest Importance suffering from Influenza Headache and talking through sheets and sheets of felt without getting any relief from it whatever.

Reading between the lines, you know, it’s pretty clear that the Times considers that it is useless to mince matters, and that something (indefinite of course) has to be done at once. Otherwise still more undesirable consequences – Times English, you know, for more wasps and stings. Thoroughly statesmanlike article!”

“And meanwhile this Bigness is spreading in all sorts of ugly ways.”

“Precisely.”

“I wonder if Skinner was right about those big rats —”

“Oh no! That would be too much,” said Redwood. He came and stood by Bensington’s chair. “By-the-bye,” he said, with a slightly lowered voice, “how does she – ?” He indicated the closed door.

“Cousin Jane? She simply knows nothing about it.