Chapter 11

           AfterthesceneintheFertilizingRoom,allupper-casteLondonwaswildtoseethisdeliciouscreaturewhohadfallenonhiskneesbeforetheDirectorofHatcheriesandConditioning–orrathertheex-Director,forthepoormanhadresignedimmediatelyafterwardsandneversetfootinsidetheCentreagain–hadfloppeddownandcalledhim(thejokewasalmosttoogoodtobetrue!)"myfather."Linda,onthecontrary,cutnoice;nobodyhadthesmallestdesiretoseeLinda.Tosayonewasamother–thatwaspastajoke:itwasanobscenity.Moreover,shewasn’tarealsavage,hadbeenhatchedoutofabottleandconditionedlikeanyoneelse:socouldn’thavereallyquaintideas.Finally–andthiswasbyfarthestrongestreasonforpeople’snotwantingtoseepoorLinda–therewasherappearance.Fat;havinglostheryouth;withbadteeth,andablotchedcomplexion,andthatfigure(Ford!)–yousimplycouldn’tlookatherwithoutfeelingsick,yes,positivelysick.SothebestpeoplewerequitedeterminednottoseeLinda.AndLinda,forherpart,hadnodesiretoseethem.Thereturntocivilizationwasforherthereturntosoma,wasthepossibilityoflyinginbedandtakingholidayafterholiday,withouteverhavingtocomebacktoaheadacheorafitofvomiting,withouteverbeingmadetofeelasyoualwaysfeltafterpeyotl,asthoughyou’ddonesomethingsoshamefullyanti-socialthatyoucouldneverholdupyourheadagain.Somaplayednoneoftheseunpleasanttricks.