Отруєний пояс
Chapter III. Submerged
Iknowthattheyaredead,andyetinthistremendousuniversaltragedyIcanfeelnosharpsorrowforanyindividuals,evenforthem."
"AndmyoldmotherinhercottageinIreland,"saidI."Icanseeherinmymind’seye,withhershawlandherlacecap,lyingbackwithclosedeyesintheoldhigh-backedchairnearthewindow,herglassesandherbookbesideher.WhyshouldImournher?ShehaspassedandIampassing,andImaybenearerherinsomeotherlifethanEnglandistoIreland.YetIgrievetothinkthatthatdearbodyisnomore."
"Astothebody,"remarkedChallenger,"wedonotmournovertheparingsofournailsnorthecutlocksofourhair,thoughtheywereoncepartofourselves.Neitherdoesaone-leggedmanyearnsentimentallyoverhismissingmember.Thephysicalbodyhasratherbeenasourceofpainandfatiguetous.Itistheconstantindexofourlimitations.Whythenshouldweworryaboutitsdetachmentfromourpsychicalselves?"
"Iftheycanindeedbedetached,"Summerleegrumbled."But,anyhow,universaldeathisdreadful."
"AsIhavealreadyexplained,"saidChallenger,"auniversaldeathmustinitsnaturebefarlessterriblethanaisolatedone."
"Sameinabattle,"remarkedLordJohn."Ifyousawasinglemanlyingonthatfloorwithhischestknockedinandaholeinhisfaceitwouldturnyousick.ButI’veseententhousandontheirbacksintheSoudan,anditgavemenosuchfeelin’,forwhenyouaremakin’historythelifeofanymanistoosmallathingtoworryover.
