Humbly report, Pluvia, regarding your question, "Is it true SI has become Big Brother? I hope not."
Humbly report, I truly believe your hope is reality!
But begging pardon, master handed me a text he wants you to see which, I humbly hasten to add, is fiction set down by the one who concieved me:
amazon.com
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They treated their victims with malicious affability, weighing every word very carefully in advance.
'I'm very sorry that you have fallen into our hands again,' said one of those black and yellow vultures, when they brought Svejk before him. 'We thought that you'd reform, but we've been disappointed.'
Svejk mutely nodded his head and assumed so innocent an expression that the black and yellow vulture looked at him inquiringly and said emphatically:
'Take that imbecile expression off your face.'
But he immediately went over to an amiable tone and continued:
'Of course it's very disagreeable for us to keep you in custody, and I can assure you that in my opinion your guilt can't be so enormous. With your absence of intelligence you must obviously have been led astray. Tell me, Svejk, who was it really who led you to commit such stupidities?'
Svejk cauged, and replied:
'Begging your pardon, sir, I know nothing of any stupidities.'
'But wasn't it stupidity, Mr. Svejk," he said in an artificially paternal tone, 'when, according to the deposition of the police officer who brought you here, you caused a crowd of people to collect in front of the war proclamation which was posted up at the corner, and you incited people with shouts of:"God Save Our Emperor Fanz Joseph! This war is already won!"?'
'I couldn't hang back,' declared Svejk, fixing his honest eyes on the eyes of the inquisitor, 'I was so angry when I saw how they were all reading this proclamation and none of them were expressing any joy. There were no shouts of "God Save Our Emperor", no hurrahs, nothing at all, inspector. It was just as if they didn't care. An old soldier of the 91st regiment like me couldn't go on looking at it and so I shouted out those words. And I believe that had you been in my place you'd have done exactly the same as I did. If there's a war it must be won and people must shout "God Save Our Emperor." No one will talk me out of that!"
Crushed and overcome the black and yellow wolf could not withstand the gaze of the pure and innocent lamb, Svejk. He lowered his gaze on to the official documents and said:
'I give you full marks for your enthusiasm, but only if it had been displayed in different cirsumstances! After all you know very well that you were under police excort and that a patriotic pronouncement like that could and must have been regarded by the public as ironic rather then serious.'
'When a chap is being led under police escort,' answered Svejk, 'it's a very hard moment in his life. And if a man, even in such a difficult moment as that, doesn't forget what he ought to do when there's a war on, I think he's not so bad after all.'
The black and yellow wolf growled and looked at Svejk in the eyes once more.
Svejk parried with the innocent, gentle, modest and tender warmth of his gaze.
For a moment they both went on staring fixedly at each other.
'Go to hell, Svejk. 'said the official at last, 'and if you ever come here again, I won't ask you any questions but will march you straight off to the military court at Hradcany. Do you understand?'
But before he could say Jack Robinson, Svejk had stepped towards him, kissed his hand and said:
'May the good Lord reward you for everything! If at any time you should need a thoroughbred little dog, just ask me. I deal in dogs.'
And so Svejk found himself at liberty again and on his way home."
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May I humbly add that master and I are both now on the best of terms with SI - and that is non-fiction!
While humbly speaking of non-fiction, master and his life partner send greetings and thanks - very happy you and yours like the book:
mindspring.com
Please let me humbly add the warmest Thanksgiving wishes to you and yours - from all of us!
Cozy at home, I humbly remain, yours truly, napping by the mail slot of the mail room, near the first arch of the Mala Strana side of Charles Bridge, where they serve great hot rum, gratis for me,
Svejk |
