human
I don't think they'd go that far, Miss Jones. But they do know that there's a lot of needless misery they could wipe out.
gpt
They're out and out materialists, aren't they? Everything's economic--the economic basis for everything in creation. They seem very cocksure that getting that the way they want it would usher in the millennium. You said the most important thing in life to these men was higher wages and shorter hours. I don't blame them for wanting them--I hope they get them--but I don't know that I see it as very promising that they regard it as the most important thing in life. To do less and get more is not what you'd call a spiritual aspiration, is it? she laughed.
human
This is what I mean--it's not the end, is it?
gpt
Socialists wouldn't call it the end. But it's got to be the end until it can become the means.
human
Yes, but if you get in the habit of looking at it as an end, will there be anything left for it to be a means to?
gpt
Why yes, those spiritual aspirations you mention.
human
Unless by that time the world's such an economic machine it doesn't want spiritual aspirations.
gpt
Well Heaven help the working man that's got them in the present economic machine,
human
Oh I don't know a thing about it. It's absurd for me to be talking about it.
gpt
Why I don't think it's at all absurd, only I don't think you see the thing clear to the end, and I wish you could talk to somebody who sees farther than I do. I'm new to it myself. Now there's a man doing a lot of boat repairing up here above the Island. I wish you could talk to him. He'd know just what you mean, and just how to meet you.
human
Oh, would he? said Katie.
gpt
What's his name?
human
Mann. Alan Mann.
gpt
Why, Katie, laughed Wayne,
human
Yes, said Katie,
gpt
I fancy he's the very same mythical creature.
human
My little boy talks about him,
gpt
Yes, he's the same one. I've seen him talking to your little boy and one of the soldiers. He's a queer genius.
human
In what way is he a queer genius?
gpt
Why--I don't know. He's always got a way of looking at a thing that you hadn't seen yourself. He looked up with a little smile from the tool he was trying to adjust.
human
I'd like to have you tell him you were worrying about socialism hurting spiritual aspirations.
gpt
Would he annihilate me?
human
No, he wouldn't want to annihilate you, if he thought you were trying to find out about things. He'd guide you.
gpt
Oh--so he's a guide, is he? Is he a spiritual or an economic guide?
human
I think he might combine them,
gpt
He must be remarkable,
human
He is remarkable, Miss Jones, gravely replied the admirer of the man who mended the boats.
gpt
I wish you could have heard him talking to a crowd of men last Sunday.
human
Dear me--is he a public speaker?
gpt
Yes--in a way. And he writes things.