Robinson. It is easy to see that you were not reared in Europe. Perhaps you have never read the Moniteur Industriel? It would have taught you this: "All time saved is a dear loss. Eating is not the important matter, but working. Nothing which we consume counts, if it is not the product of our labor. Do you wish to know whether you are rich? Do not look at your comforts, but at your trouble." This is what the Moniteur Industriel would have taught you. I, who am not a theorist, see but the loss of our hunting.
Friday. What a strange perversion of ideas. But—
Robinson. No buts. Besides, there are political reasons for rejecting the interested offers of this perfidious stranger.
Friday. Political reasons!
Robinson. Yes. In the first place he makes these offers only because they are for his advantage.
Friday. So much the better, since they are for ours also.
Robinson. Then by these exchanges we shall become dependent on him.
Friday. And he on us. We need his game, he our vegetables, and we will live in good friendship.
Robinson. Fancy! Do you want I should leave you without an answer?
Friday. Let us see; I am still waiting a good reason.