Magnus! When you went to school, they taught you: “Honesty is the Best Policy.” At church: “Love your fellow-men.” You went into business. Two years later—you were a bankrupt. Why?
MAGNUS (in hypnosis: speaks dully and mechanically) I wouldn’t buy diseased animals and dye their meat a healthy color with poison.
THE DEVIL
That was being honest. What else? Speak!
MAGNUS (same tone, but sleepier) I wouldn’t bring foreign laborers over to do the work cheaper than Americans. The more ignorant citizens, the more rascals in Congress. The more rascals in Congress, the worse laws. The worse laws, the worse country. Worse and worse—until only a revolution could cure it. Out of a revolution—a soldier tyrant—a Napoleon—an Emperor—and three centuries—gone to hell—
THE DEVIL
That was loving your fellow-men. What else? Speak!
MAGNUS (almost asleep; rouses himself with an effort) So, without cheap meat and cheap labor, I couldn’t sell at cheap prices. My wife sold her jewels. I kept books for a former rival.
THE DEVIL (thumbing Magnus’s forehead)
That’s what you got for being honest and loving your fellow-men, eh? How did you get the courage to be a crook?