“Well, I don’t believe in Providence.”
“But how then can you believe in God?” asked Syed Mohammed.
“I don’t believe in God.”
A tiny movement as of “I told you so!” passed round the company, and Aziz looked up for an instant, scandalized. “Is it correct that most are atheists in England now?” Hamidullah enquired.
“The educated thoughtful people? I should say so, though they don’t like the name. The truth is that the West doesn’t bother much over belief and disbelief in these days. Fifty years ago, or even when you and I were young, much more fuss was made.”
“And does not morality also decline?”
“It depends what you call—yes, yes, I suppose morality does decline.”
“Excuse the question, but if this is the case, how is England justified in holding India?”
There they were! Politics again. “It’s a question I can’t get my mind on to,” he replied. “I’m out here personally because I needed a job. I cannot tell you why England is here or whether she ought to be here. It’s beyond me.”
“Well-qualified Indians also need jobs in the educational.”