beasts and super-beasts(野兽与超级野兽)-第17章
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And then the nation and the newspapers turned with a sense of relief
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to happier things。 It seemed as if a new era of contentment was about
to dawn。 Everybody had struck who could possibly want to strike or
who could possibly be cajoled or bullied into striking； whether they
wanted to or not。 The lighter and brighter side of life might now claim
some attention。 And conspicuous among the other topics that sprang
into sudden prominence was the pending Falvertoon divorce suit。
The Duke of Falvertoon was one of those human HORS
D'OEUVRES that stimulate the public appetite for sensation without
giving it much to feed on。 As a mere child he had been precociously
brilliant； he had declined the editorship of the ANGLIAN REVIEW at
an age when most boys are content to have declined MENSA； a table；
and though he could not claim to have originated the Futurist
movement in literature； his 〃Letters to a possible Grandson；〃 written at
the age of fourteen； had attracted considerable notice。 In later days his
brilliancy had been less conspicuously displayed。 During a debate in
the House of Lords on affairs in Morocco； at a moment when that
country； for the fifth time in seven years； had brought half Europe to the
verge of war； he had interpolated the remark 〃a little Moor and how
much it is；〃 but in spite of the encouraging reception accorded to this
one political utterance he was never tempted to a further display in that
direction。 It began to be generally understood that he did not intend to
supplement his numerous town and country residences by living
overmuch in the public eye。
And then had come the unlooked…for tidings of the imminent
proceedings for divorce。 And such a divorce！ There were cross…suits
and allegations and counter… allegations； charges of cruelty and desertion；
everything in fact that was necessary to make the case one of the most
complicated and sensational of its kind。 And the number of
distinguished people involved or cited as witnesses not only embraced
both political parties in the realm and several Colonial governors； but
included an exotic contingent from France； Hungary； the United States
of North America； and the Grand Duchy of Baden。 Hotel
accommodation of the more expensive sort began to experience a strain
on its resources。 〃It will be quite like the Durbar without the
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elephants；〃 exclaimed an enthusiastic lady who； to do her justice； had
never seen a Durbar。 The general feeling was one of thankfulness
that the last of the strikes had been got over before the date fixed for the
hearing of the great suit。
As a reaction from the season of gloom and industrial strife that had
just passed away the agencies that purvey and stage…manage sensations
laid themselves out to do their level best on this momentous occasion。
Men who had made their reputations as special descriptive writers were
mobilised from distant corners of Europe and the further side of the
Atlantic in order to enrich with their pens the daily printed records of the
case； one word…painter； who specialised in descriptions of how
witnesses turn pale under cross…examination； was summoned hurriedly
back from a famous and prolonged murder trial in Sicily； where indeed
his talents were being decidedly wasted。 Thumb…nail artists and expert
kodak manipulators were retained at extravagant salaries； and special
dress reporters were in high demand。 An enterprising Paris firm of
costume builders presented the defendant Duchess with three special
creations； to be worn； marked； learned； and extensively reported at
various critical stages of the trial； and as for the cinematograph agents；
their industry and persistence was untiring。 Films representing the
Duke saying good…bye to his favourite canary on the eve of the trial were
in readiness weeks before the event was due to take place； other films
depicted the Duchess holding imaginary consultations with fictitious
lawyers or making a light repast off specially advertised vegetarian
sandwiches during a supposed luncheon interval。 As far as human
foresight and human enterprise could go nothing was lacking to make
the trial a success。
Two days before the case was down for hearing the advance reporter
of an important syndicate obtained an interview with the Duke for the
purpose of gleaning some final grains of information concerning his
Grace's personal arrangements during the trial。
〃I suppose I may say this will be one of the biggest affairs of its kind
during the lifetime of a generation；〃 began the reporter as an excuse for
the unsparing minuteness of detail that he was about to make quest for。
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〃I suppose so … if it comes off；〃 said the Duke lazily。
〃If？〃 queried the reporter； in a voice that was something between a
gasp and a scream。
〃The Duchess and I are both thinking of going on strike；〃 said the
Duke。
〃Strike！〃
The baleful word flashed out in all its old hideous familiarity。 Was
there to be no end to its recurrence？
〃Do you mean；〃 faltered the reporter； 〃that you are contemplating a
mutual withdrawal of the charges？〃
〃Precisely；〃 said the Duke。
〃But think of the arrangements that have been made； the special
reporting； the cinematographs； the catering for the distinguished foreign
witnesses； the prepared music…hall allusions； think of all the money that
has been sunk … 〃
〃Exactly；〃 said the Duke coldly； 〃the Duchess and I have realised
that it is we who provide the material out of which this great far…
reaching industry has been built up。 Widespread employment will be
given and enormous profits made during the duration of the case； and we；
on whom all the stress and racket falls； will get … what？ An
unenviable notoriety and the privilege of paying heavy legal expenses
whichever way the verdict goes。 Hence our decision to strike。 We
don't wish to be reconciled； we fully realise that it is a grave step to take；
but unless we get some reasonable consideration out of this vast
stream of wealth and industry that we have called into bei
