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46
Läsebok. N:o 62.
to amuse yourself with watching all that goes on in the
kitchen. Think, I beseech you, how you would like to be shut
up for life in this dark closet, and wag backwards and
forwards, year after year as I do». — »As to that», said the
dial, »is there not a window in your house, on purpose for
you to look through?» — »But what», resumed the
pendulum, »although there is a window, I dare not stop, even for
an instant, to look out. Besides, I am really weary of my
way of life; and, if you please, I’ll tell you how I took this
disgust at my employment. This morning I happened to be
calculating how many times I should have to tick only in
the course of the next twenty-four hours, — perhaps some
of you above there can give me the exact sum». The
mi-nute-hand, being quick at figures, instantly replied,
»Eighty-six thousand four hundred times». — »Exactly so», replied
the pendulum ; »well, I appeal to you all, if the thought of
this was not enough to fatigue one; — and when I began to
multiply the strokes of one day by those of months and
years, really it is no wonder if I felt discouraged at the
prospect; so, after a great deal of reasoning and hesitation, thinks
I to myself — I’ll stop!»
The dial could scarcely keep its countenance during this
harangue, but, resuming its gravity, at last replied: — »Dear
Mr. Pendulum, I am really astonished that such a useful,
industrious person as yourself should have been overcome by
this suggestion. It is true you have done a great deal of
work in your time; so have we all, and are likely to do; and
though this may fatigue us to think of, the question is, will
it fatigue us to do? Would you now do me the favour to
give about half a dozen strokes to illustrate my argument?»
The pendulum complied, and ticked six times at its usual
pace. »Now», resumed the dial, »was that exertion at all
fatiguing to you ?» — »Not in the least», replied the
pendulum, »it is not of six strokes that I complain, nor of sixty,
but of millions». — Very good», replied the dial; »but
recollect, that although you may think of a million strokes in
an instant, you are required to execute but one; and that
however often you may hereafter have to swing, a moment
will always be given you to swing in». — »That
consideration staggers me, I confess», said the pendulum. »Then, I
hope», added the dial-plate, »we shall all immediately return
to our duty, for the maids will lie in bed till noon if we
stand idling thus». Upon this the weights, who had never
been accused of »light» conduct, used all their influence in
urging him to proceed; when, as with one consent, the wheels
began to turn, the hands began to move, the pendulum to
wag, and, to its credit, ticked as loud as ever, — while a
beam of the rising sun that streamed through a hole in the
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