Чужак в чужой стране

           ButevenifbothofuswereSimon-pureNorthEuropeanstock,certifiedbytheAmericanKennelClub,(asillynotion,sincetheamountofcasualbastardyamonghumansisfarinexcessofthateveradmitted)–butevenifwewere,suchancestrywouldmerelytelluswhichcannibalswearedescendedfrom?becauseeverybranchofthehumanrace,withoutanyexception,haspracticedcannibalisminthecourseofitshistory.Duke,it’ssillytotalkaboutapracticebeing‘againstinstinct’whenhundredsofmillionsofhumanbeingshavefollowedthatpractice."

           "But-Allright,allright,Ishouldknowbetterthantoarguewithyou,Jubal;youcanalwaystwistthingsaroundyourway.Butsupposewealldidcomefromsavageswhodidn’tknowanybetter–I’mnotadmittingitbutjustsupposing.Supposewedid.Whatofit?We’recivilizednow.OratleastIam."

           Jubalgrinnedcheerfully."ImplyingthatIamnot.Son,quiteasidefrommyownconditionedreflexagainstmunchingaroasthaunchof–well,you,forexample–quiteasidefromthattrained-inemotionalprejudice,forcoldlypracticalreasonsIregardourtabooagainstcannibalismasanexcellentidea?becausewearenotcivilized."

           "Huh?"

           "Obvious.Ifwedidn’thaveatribaltabooaboutthemattersostrongthatyouhonestlybelieveditwasaninstinct,IcanthinkofalonglistofpeopleIwouldn’ttrustwithmybackturned,notwiththepriceofbeefwhatitistoday.Eh?"

           Dukegrudgedagrin."Maybeyou’vegotsomethingthere.