Tea-table Talk [27]
gives himself to the public good? The hive was founded in dark days before man knew; it has been built according to false laws. This man will have a cell bigger than any other cell; all the other little men shall envy him; a thousand fellow-crawling mites shall slave for him, wear out their lives in wretchedness for him and him alone; all their honey they shall bring to him; he shall gorge while they shall starve. Of what use? He has slept no sounder in his foolishly fanciful cell. Sleep is to tired eyes, not to silken coverlets. We dream in Seven Dials as in Park Lane. His stomach, distend it as he will--it is very small--resents being distended. The store of honey rots. The hive was conceived in the dark days of ignorance, stupidity, brutality. A new hive shall arise."
"I had no idea," said the Woman of the World, "you were a Socialist."
"Nor had I," agreed the Minor Poet, "before I began talking."
"And next Wednesday," laughed the Woman of the World; "you will be arguing in favour of individualism."
"Very likely," agreed the Minor Poet. "'The deep moans round with many voices.'"
"I'll take another cup of tea," said the Philosopher.
End
"I had no idea," said the Woman of the World, "you were a Socialist."
"Nor had I," agreed the Minor Poet, "before I began talking."
"And next Wednesday," laughed the Woman of the World; "you will be arguing in favour of individualism."
"Very likely," agreed the Minor Poet. "'The deep moans round with many voices.'"
"I'll take another cup of tea," said the Philosopher.
End