"You blockhead, I mean there will soon have to be a partition. They who have plenty will have to give some to those who have nothing."
"Bravo! Long live Koth!"
"That sort of doctrine is dangerous to the state," said Flachsen. "Such principles bring about revolutions, and corrupt society."
"What of society! You're an ass, Flachsen! Koth is right--partition, partition!" was the cry all round the table.
"As you will! I have nothing against it if only it were practicable," expostulated Flachsen; "for I, too, am a radical."
"It is practicable! All things are practicable," exclaimed Koth. "Our age can do anything, and so can we. Haven't we driven religion out of the schools? Haven't we elected Shund for mayor? It is the majority who rule; and, were we to vote in favor of partition to-morrow, partition would have to take place. Any measure can be carried by a majority, and, since we poor devils are in the majority, as soon as we will have voted for partition it will come without fail."
"That's sensible!" agreed they all. "But then, such a thing has never yet been done. Do you think it possible?"
"Anything is possible," maintained Koth. "Didn't Shund preach that there isn't any God, or hell, or devil? Was that ever taught before? If the God of old has to submit to being deposed, the rich will have to submit to it. I tell you, the majority will settle the business for the rich. And if there's no God, no devil, and no life beyond, well then, you see, I'm capable of laying my hand to anything. If voting won't do, violence will. Do you understand?"
"Bravo! Hurrah for Koth!"
"There must be progress," cried Graeulich, "among us as well as others. We are not going to continue all our lives in wretchedness. We must advance from labor to comfort without labor, from poverty to wealth, from want to abundance. Three cheers for progress--hurrah! hurrah!", And the whole company joined in frantically.