Page:The life of the insects by Čapek brothers.pdf/48

 was all I could do, not to fly at his throat! Yes, sir, I’ll work too if need be, but why should I work when somebody else has more than he can consume? I’ve got initiative—but I keep it here (Pats stomach) I’m ’ungry, that ’s what I am, ’ungry, that ’s a pretty stage of things, isn’t it?

Tramp. Anything for a piece of meat.

Parasite. That ’s what I say. Anything for a piece of meat, and the poor man’s got nothing. It ’s against nature. Every one should have enough to eat, eh? Down with work!

Tramp. (Shaking rattle) Poor creature, poor creature!

Parasite. That’s it. Every one’s got a right to live.

Mr. Cricket. (Enters, rattling) Here I am, my pet, here I am, my darling. Where are you, my precious? Guess what hubby ’s brought you.

Ichneumon Fly. (Behind him) Aha!

Tramp. Look out—look out!

Parasite. Don’t interfere, mate—don’t get mixed up in it. What must be, must be.

Mr. Cricket. Mummy!

Ichneumon Fly. (Kills him) Larva, look what your kind daddy’s bringing you now.

Tramp. Oh, Gawd in Heaven—’ow can you stand by and see it?

Parasite. Just what I say. That ’s the third cricket he ’s had already, and me nothing. And that ’s what we poor working men are asked to put up with.

Ichneumon Fly. (Re-entering) No, no, kiddy, I’ve no time. Daddy must go back to work. Eat, eat, eat. Quiet now, I’ll be back in an hour.

[Exit.