Page:Karel Čapek - The Absolute at Large (1927).djvu/157

 "We ran that to-day."

"'Impious fabrication'?"

"At least six times," said Kostal.

"That's a pity," sighed Father Jost. "I think we've been a bit too lavish with our ideas. How did you like to-day's leader, Novotny?"

"Strong stuff," said the printer. "But we ought to be getting on with the setting."

"Ready in a minute," Father Jost replied. "I think our friends in higher quarters were satisfied with this morning's issue. You'll see, his Lordship the Bishop will call on us. 'Jost,' he'll say, 'you let them have it properly.' Have we used 'maniacal ravings'?"

"Yes."

"What a pity! We must bring up fresh guns and blaze away. 'Jost,' his Lordship said to me not long ago, 'Up and at them! Everything may have its day, but we shall stand for ever and aye.' Mr. Novotny, can't you think of any suitable phrase?"

"Well, couldn't you say 'criminal narrow-mindedness' or 'perverse malignity'?"

"That would do splendidly," said Father Jost, with a sigh of relief. "Where do you get all these bright ideas from, Novotny?"

"From the old files of The People's Friend. But that leader, your Reverence."

"You shall have it at once. Just wait a minute: