Алая чума
Chapter 2
“Ourfood-getterswerecalledfreemen. Thiswasajoke. Weoftherulingclassesownedalltheland,allthemachines,everything. Thesefood-getterswereourslaves. Wetookalmostallthefoodtheygot,andleftthemalittlesothattheymighteat,andwork,andgetusmorefood—”
“I’dhavegoneintotheforestandgotfoodformyself,”Hare-Lipannounced;“andifanymantriedtotakeitawayfromme,I’dhavekilledhim.”
Theoldmanlaughed.
“DidInottellyouthatweoftherulingclassownedalltheland,alltheforest,everything? Anyfood-getterwhowouldnotgetfoodforus,himwepunishedorcompelledtostarvetodeath. Andveryfewdidthat. Theypreferredtogetfoodforus,andmakeclothesforus,andprepareandadministertousathousand—amussel-shell,Hoo-Hoo—athousandsatisfactionsanddelights. AndIwasProfessorSmithinthosedays—ProfessorJamesHowardSmith. Andmylecturecourseswereverypopular—thatis,verymanyoftheyoungmenandwomenlikedtohearmetalkaboutthebooksothermenhadwritten.
“AndIwasveryhappy,andIhadbeautifulthingstoeat. Andmyhandsweresoft,becauseIdidnoworkwiththem,andmybodywascleanalloveranddressedinthesoftestgarments—
“Hesurveyedhismangygoat-skinwithdisgust.
“Wedidnotwearsuchthingsinthosedays. Eventheslaveshadbettergarments. Andweweremostclean. Wewashedourfacesandhandsofteneveryday. Youboysneverwashunlessyoufallintothewaterorgoswimming.”
“NeitherdoyouGranzer,”Hoo-Hooretorted.
