someone to keep an expert eye on the activities of the gardener."

 

"I'm sorry, sir?"

 

"Nature, Stevens. We were talking the other day about the wonders of the natural

world. And I quite agree with you, we are all much too complacent about the

great wonders that surround us."

 

"Yes, sir.

 

"I mean, all this we've been talking about.

 

Treaties and boundaries and reparations and occupations. But Mother Nature just

carries on her own sweet way. Funny to think of it like that, don't you think?"

 

"Yes, indeed it is, sir."

 

"I wonder if it wouldn't have been better if the Almighty had created us all as

- well -as sort of plants. You know, firmly embedded in the soil. Then none of

this rot about wars and boundaries would have come up in the first place."

 

The young gentleman seemed to find this an amusing thought. He gave a laugh,

then on further thought laughed some more. I joined him in his laughter. Then he

nudged me and said: "Can you imagine it, Stevens?" and laughed again.