The American Story

APOLOGUE

The Advocate of Mankind was idly calculating how many times the Dipper had been full and empty again. It was empty now. From time to time he regarded the Saint, who was reading the CONGRESSIONAL RECORD backward and seemed not very friendly.

Is that your job? asked the Advocate of Mankind, gently.

That, said the Saint, putting the CONGRESSIONAL RECORD down on his knee. And this, indicating with distaste a small pearl object that would fit the ear. Think of having that HERE! And all on your account.

Then you make reports on us? asked the Advocate of Mankind.

One continuous report, said the Saint. Always up to date.

Is it favorable? asked the Advocate of Mankind.

It is vicious, said the Saint, happily. With that he picked up the pearl object and held it to his ear. As he put it down he said, Busy still. You ought to know what that means.

How long do you think I might have to wait? asked the Advocate of Mankind.

I’ve told you I don’t know, said the Saint. And anyhow, it’s no good waiting at all. There is no conclusion yet.

I can’t understand indecision here, said the Advocate of Mankind.

It isn’t indecision, said the Saint. It’s a point of honor. Do you know the Bible?

Imperfectly, said the Advocate of Mankind.

Of course, said the Saint. You have not comprehended the story of Job. Out walking one day the Lord met Satan.

The Lord said to Satan, What are you doing here?

Satan said, Just going to and fro in the earth.

The Lord was optimistic that day, and he said to Satan, Behold Job! He is my good and faithful servant and incorruptible.

Why shouldn’t he be? said Satan, sneering. You have made him rich.

That has nothing to do with it, said the Lord.

Satan said, But give me the power to deprive him of his wordly goods and put sores on his skin and he will curse you.

The Lord was piqued. Then and there they made what you call a bet. Satan afflicted Job and made him both poor and extremely miserable. The Lord won, but it was a close thing, and in honor both the Lord and Satan had to wait until Job himself decided it.

I don’t quite see it, said the Advocate of Mankind.

You wouldn’t, said the Saint. It isn’t in the Bible yet. One day the Lord was walking to and fro in the New World and met Satan again.

Satan said, What is all this?

The Lord said, This is a New World and these are my new people. They are good and faithful. They walk in my hand.

Satan said, Besides a New World what are you going to give these new people?

Knowledge, said the Lord.

What kind of knowledge? Satan asked. Not knowledge of good and evil. They took that from me and you punished them for it.

They have never been happy since, said the Lord. But now they ask for access to the secrets of nature, whereby to arrive at truth by demonstration; and I will give it to them.

How much, asked Satan.

Enough, said the Lord, to give them dominion in the whole earth, for they are my new people.

I lost on Job, said Satan. Now I give you another dare. If you will let me erase from the mind of these new people a single word, so they shall not know they ever had it, in a little while they will leave your hand, they will walk in a willful manner, they will remember you as a myth and they will never stop until they have discovered the ultimate secret.

In that instant, said the Lord, I should have to destroy them. But what is the word?

The word I will take from them, said Satan, is the word ENOUGH.

So between them, the Saint went on, there was again what you would call a bet. You asked for it, do you remember? You were their agent and you wanted for them this knowledge, which now they worship as Science. There you sit, with nothing more to suggest unless it be to undo the whole thing, which is impossible; and here am I very sick of my job, which is to watch you; and the instant has not arrived. Shall I call again? I’m sure the line is still busy.

No thank you, said the Advocate of Mankind, and went very softly away.