‘I am thinking how to give greater power to the leg-muscles of the flea, that he may more easily escape from his enemies. The balance of attack and defence is broken.... It must be restored.’
‘What,’ I faltered in reply, ‘what is it thou art thinking upon? But are not we, men, thy favourite children?’
The woman frowned slightly. ‘All creatures are my children,’ she pronounced, ‘and I care for them alike, and all alike I destroy.’
‘But right ... reason ... justice ...’ I faltered again.
‘Those are men’s words,’ I heard the iron voice saying. ‘I know not right nor wrong.... Reason is no law for me—and what is justice?—I have given thee life, I shall take it away and give to others, worms or men ... I care not.... Do thou meanwhile look out for thyself, and hinder me not!’
I would have retorted ... but the earth uttered a hollow groan and shuddered, and I awoke.
August 1879.