Kolonaty
Pray tell, who would name the chosen ones? The governments? The Plebiscite? Swedish Academy?
Prus
No idiotic voting! The strongest would hand over life to the strongest. It would be—a dynasty of the strong.
Vitek
Until the time when the rabble would claim its own right to life.
Prus
Time would kill them off. Progress in the world would replace the small and weak despot with the strong and big despot. Privileged long life—that’s the despotism of the select. That is the rule of reason. Superhuman authority in knowledge and executive ability. You have it in your hands, gentlemen. You can abuse it. I’ve told you all.
[He sits down]
Kolonaty
Hm! Do I belong to this best dozen class, or does Gregor?
Prus
No.
Gregor
But you do, of course.
Prus
Not any more—not now.
[ 152 ]
