Manchurian Books

"
"It won't, Commander, because there's not a single kreuzer among the
eighteen."
"So be it. That's as far as I am willing to go. Appeal to their
reasoning powers, Greusel. If each of the eighteen contributes one
thaler, we three will contribute six thalers apiece. Ask them whether
they do not think we are generous when we do six times more than any one
of them towards providing capital for a committee."
"'Tis not willingness they lack, Commander, but ability."
"They are not logical, Joseph. They prate of comradeship, and when it
comes to an exercise of power they demand equality. How, then, can they,
with any sense of fairness, prove ungrateful to us when we offer to bear
six times the burden they are asked to shoulder?"
The lieutenant said no more, but departed to announce the decision to
the men, and either the commander's reasoning overcame all opposition,
or else the company was too tired to engage in a controversy.
When the black bread and cheese were served, with a further supply of
wine, all sat up and ate heartily.


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