Page 180 - BRAVE NEW WORLD By Aldous Huxley (1894-1963)

Brave New World By Aldous Huxley

"A most unhappy gentleman." And, pointing to the

bloodstains in the centre of the square, "Do you see

that damned spot?" he asked in a voice that

trembled with emotion.

"A gramme is better than a damn," said

Lenina mechanically from behind her hands. "I wish

I had my soma!"

"I ought to have been there," the young

man went on. "Why wouldn't they let me be the

sacrifice? I'd have gone round ten times–twelve,

fifteen. Palowhtiwa only got as far as seven. They

could have had twice as much blood from me. The

multitudinous seas incarnadine." He flung out his

arms in a lavish gesture; then, despairingly, let

them fall again. "But they wouldn't let me. They

disliked me for my complexion. It's always been like

that. Always." Tears stood in the young man's eyes;

he was ashamed and turned away.

Astonishment made Lenina forget the

deprivation of soma. She uncovered her face and,

for the first time, looked at the stranger. "Do you

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