“‘Mechanism does not escape this trope and rhapsody, being indeed their most conspicuous illustration, since its fundamental principle is that of leverage, whereby there is libration or oscillation, as of a scale or a pendulum, or circular motion as of a wheel. In celestial mechanism the material fulcrum disappears, and there is the invisible centre of motion, of light and return, through tendencies which seem to balance each other, giving the motion the orbital form.’”
“And here’s your old Manhattan Mummy come home to roost.”
“Henrymillsalden, second chapter and fifth verse.”
“Congregation sing.”
Alonzo Leffingwell bowed his head. He pressed his hand to his solar plexus and then faintly did he murmur—“Then there is nothing that will melt or soften you—nothing?”
“Oh, ring off. D’ye take me for the ice man? Well, I’m not. I’m pig-iron, pipe-clay and steel filings; and what’s worse, the more I remember the madder I get.”
“And then—and then—there is nothing that I can do—or can say?—”
“Once—and—for—all,—NOPE, my gay Gnani of Gingalee, for the last time, you’re up against it.”
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