20 HUMANISM ii 



Ah ! that explains much. I now see why you are even 

 greater and more impressive than I expected, and why he 

 appears to be on such good terms with you once more. 



Oh yes, we have made up our differences long ago, 

 and he has now again the same keen, unassuming spirit 

 with which he first charmed me, as a boy. Not that I 

 was ever very angry with him even formerly. Of course 

 his criticisms were unfair, and, as you say, his great abilities 

 rendered him conceited, but you must remember that he 

 had to make a place for himself in the philosophic world, 

 and that he could do this only by attacking the greatest 

 reputation in that world, viz. mine. But you see he is 

 returning, and I want to ask you how you fared after our 

 last meeting. Did you find it difficult to get back to 

 your world ? 



I hardly know, Plato, how I managed it. And, oh, 

 the difference when I awoke in the morning ! How 

 sordid all things seemed ! 



And did you tell your pupils what my answers were 

 to your questions ? 



I did, and they were much interested, and, I am afraid 

 I must add, amused. 



And after that what did you do ? Did you persuade 

 your political men to enact laws in the Ecclesia such as 

 those we showed to be best ? 



I fear I have not yet quite succeeded in doing this. 



Why, what objections have you failed to overcome ? 



I have not yet even overcome the first and greatest 

 objection of all. I have not published the account of our 

 conversation. 



Why not ? 



To tell you the truth, I was afraid ; I feared that your 

 arguments might fare ill among the British Philistines. 



Why should they fare ill, seeing that, both for other 

 reasons and to please you, I was conservative, wonderfully 

 how, amid all my reforms, and proposed nothing revolu 

 tionary, but essayed only gently to turn to the light the 

 eyes of the Cave-dwellers whom you mention ? 



You don t know how insensitive they are to the light. 



