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King-Hunger 307
gambler and the drunkard. They have come to
consult with each other how poverty is to rebel,
how to throw off the yoke, and what to do with the
rich.
Various suggestions are made. One advises
poisoning the supply of water. But this is con
demned on the ground that the people also have to
drink from the same source.
Another suggests that all books should be burned
for they teach the rich how to oppress. But the
motion fails. What is the use of burning the
books? The wealthy have money; they will buy
writers, poets and scientists to make new books.
A third proposes that the children of the rich
be killed. From the darkest, most dismal corner
of the cellar comes the protest of an old woman:
"
Oh, not the children. Don t touch the children.
I have buried many of them myself. I know the
pain of the mother. Besides, the children are not
to blame for the crimes of their parents. Don t
touch the children ! The child is pure and sacred.
Don t hurt the child!"
A little girl rises, a child of twelve with the face
of the aged. She announces that for the last four
years she has given her body for money. She had
been sold by her mother because they needed bread
for the smaller children. During the four years
of her terrible life, she has consorted with all kinds
of men, influential men, rich men, pious men.
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