Page:Karel Čapek - The Absolute at Large (1927).djvu/144

 who can read I say, Bondy, are things really so awful?"

G. H. Bondy shook his head.

"A lot worse than you think. Simply desperate. Listen," he whispered brokenly. "He's everywhere by now. I think that that He's got a definite plan."

"A plan?" cried Marek, leaping to his feet.

"Don't shout so. He has some kind of plan, my friend. And He's going about it deuced cleverly. Tell me, Marek, what is the greatest power in the world?"

"England," said Marek without hesitation.

"Not at all. Industry is the greatest power in the world. And the so-called 'proletariat' are likewise the greatest power in the world. Do you see the scheme now?"

"No, I don't see it at all."

"He has got control of them both. He has both industry and the masses in His power. So everything is in His grasp. Everything goes to show that He is thinking of world-supremacy. That's how things are, Marek."

Marek sat down. "Wait a bit, Bondy," he said. "I've been thinking a good deal about it up here in the mountains. I've been following up everything and comparing the signs. I tell you, Bondy, I don't even give a thought to anything else. I certainly