О дивный новый мир

           Again,again–anditwasnottheearthatheardthepulsingrhythm,itwasthemidriff;thewailandclangofthoserecurringharmonieshaunted,notthemind,buttheyearningbowelsofcompassion.

           ThePresidentmadeanothersignoftheTandsatdown.Theservicehadbegun.Thededicatedsomatabletswereplacedinthecentreofthetable.Thelovingcupofstrawberryice-creamsomawaspassedfromhandtohandand,withtheformula,"Idrinktomyannihilation,"twelvetimesquaffed.ThentotheaccompanimentofthesyntheticorchestratheFirstSolidarityHymnwassung.

           "Ford,wearetwelve;oh,makeusone,

           LikedropswithintheSocialRiver,

           Oh,makeusnowtogetherrun

           AsswiftlyasthyshiningFlivver."

           Twelveyearningstanzas.Andthenthelovingcupwaspassedasecondtime."IdrinktotheGreaterBeing"wasnowtheformula.Alldrank.Tirelesslythemusicplayed.Thedrumsbeat.Thecryingandclashingoftheharmonieswereanobsessioninthemeltedbowels.TheSecondSolidarityHymnwassung.

           "Come,GreaterBeing,SocialFriend,

           AnnihilatingTwelve-in-One!

           Welongtodie,forwhenweend,

           Ourlargerlifehasbutbegun."

           Againtwelvestanzas.Bythistimethesomahadbeguntowork.Eyesshone,cheekswereflushed,theinnerlightofuniversalbenevolencebrokeoutoneveryfaceinhappy,friendlysmiles.EvenBernardfelthimselfalittlemelted.WhenMorganaRothschildturnedandbeamedathim,hedidhisbesttobeamback.Buttheeyebrow,thatblacktwo-in-one–alas,itwasstillthere;hecouldn’tignoreit,couldn’t,howeverhardhetried.