“You are not a Socialist, Mr. Wondergood? Ah, do not be ashamed. We are all Socialists now. We are all on the side of the hungry: the more satisfied they will be, the more they will fear death. You understand?”
He flung out his arms and drew them in again, like a net filled with fish and said:
“We are fishermen, Mr. Wondergood, humble fishermen!... And tell me: do you regard the desire for liberty as a virtue or a vice?”
“The entire civilized world regards the desire for liberty as a virtue,” I replied angrily.
“I expected no other reply from a citizen of the United States. But don’t you personally believe that he who will give man limitless freedom will also bring him death? Death alone releases all earthly ties. And don’t you regard the words ‘freedom’ and ‘death’ as synonymous?”
“I speak of political liberty.”
“Of political liberty? Oh, we have no objection to that. You can have as much as you please of that! Of course, provided men themselves ask for it. Are you sure they really want it? If they do, please help yourself! It is all nonsense and calumny to say that the Holy See is in favor of reaction.... I had the honor to be present on the balcony of the Vatican when His Holiness blessed the first French aëroplane that appeared over Rome, and the next Pope, I am sure, will gladly bless the barricades. The time of Galileo has passed, Mr. Wondergood, and we all know now that the earth does move!”
He drew a circle in the air with his finger, indicating the revolution of the earth.
I said:
“You must permit me to think over your proposal, Your Eminence.”