О дивный новый мир

           InalittlegrassybaybetweentallclumpsofMediterraneanheather,twochildren,alittleboyofaboutsevenandalittlegirlwhomighthavebeenayearolder,wereplaying,verygravelyandwithallthefocussedattentionofscientistsintentonalabourofdiscovery,arudimentarysexualgame.

           "Charming,charming!"theD.H.C.repeatedsentimentally.

           "Charming,"theboyspolitelyagreed.Buttheirsmilewasratherpatronizing.Theyhadputasidesimilarchildishamusementstoorecentlytobeabletowatchthemnowwithoutatouchofcontempt.Charming?butitwasjustapairofkidsfoolingabout;thatwasall.Justkids.

           "Ialwaysthink,"theDirectorwascontinuinginthesamerathermaudlintone,whenhewasinterruptedbyaloudboo-hooing.

           Fromaneighbouringshrubberyemergedanurse,leadingbythehandasmallboy,whohowledashewent.Ananxious-lookinglittlegirltrottedatherheels.

           "What’sthematter?"askedtheDirector.

           Thenurseshruggedhershoulders."Nothingmuch,"sheanswered."It’sjustthatthislittleboyseemsratherreluctanttojoinintheordinaryeroticplay.I’dnoticeditonceortwicebefore.Andnowagainto-day.Hestartedyellingjustnow..."

           "Honestly,"putintheanxious-lookinglittlegirl,"Ididn’tmeantohurthimoranything.Honestly."

           "Ofcourseyoudidn’t,dear,"saidthenursereassuringly."Andso,"shewenton,turningbacktotheDirector,"I’mtakinghimintoseetheAssistantSuperintendentofPsychology.Justtoseeifanything’satallabnormal."