They play up to the superstitious weakness
of the mob, and replace one religion by another. They don't care what
beastly misery and evil they keep alive so long as they can pull off
their particular little stunts. You mustn't be like that, Stonehouse.
To be free--to be free--and strong enough to go one's way and trample
down the people who try to turn you aside; that is the only thing worth
while. Don't let them catch you, Stonehouse. You don't know how
cunning they can be--cunning and cruel."
He sighed again, and Robert did not try to answer. He had given up all
hope of understanding, and his tiredness was now such that he had to
set his teeth to keep the tears back. At the corner they waited in
silence watching the jolly, yellow-eyed 'bus rumble towards them down
the High Street.
"Your guardian will tell you what we have arranged," Mr. Ricardo said
abruptly and with a complete change of tone. "In a month you will read
better than any of them. As to the rest, you will have to compromise.
So long as you know what you are doing and don't humbug yourself,
there's no harm done. With the necessity you will shake yourself free.
You can say, 'I believe in God the Father Almighty' with your lips and
in your heart, as I do, damned rot--damned rot.'"
He laughed, and in the lamplight Robert saw his face, puckered with an
impish, malicious merriment. Robert laughed too. So he had guessed
right. He felt proud and pleased.
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