Page:The life of the insects by Čapek brothers.pdf/57

 Blind Ant. Two, three, four—

Chief Engineer. Faster—faster—

[ collapses with his load and moans.

2nd Engineer. Tut, tut! What ’s that? Get up.

Another Ant. (Next to him, bending over) Dead!

Chief Engineer. One, two—carry him away, quick.

2nd Engineer. He died honourably in the cause of speed.

Chief Engineer. How are you lifting him? Too slowly, you’re wasting time. Drop him. Now head and feet together. Blank, two, three—wrong, drop him again. Head and feet—blank, two, three, four—take him away—blank, two, blank, two, blank—

2nd Engineer. Two, three, four—quicker.

Tramp. Anyhow, he died quick enough—

Chief Engineer. Work, work, he who possesses more, must work more.

2nd Engineer. He requires more—

Chief Engineer. He has more to defend—

2nd Engineer. And more to gain.

Chief Engineer. We are a nation of peace—peace means work.

2nd Engineer. And work, strength.

Chief Engineer. And strength, war.

2nd Engineer. Yes, yes.

Inventor. Out of my way—step aside.

2nd Engineer. Our inventor—

Inventor. Take care, take care. Don’t touch