herland(她乡)-第19节
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he explained； was a law of nature： 〃Reproduction is in inverse proportion
to individuation。〃
〃These ‘laws of nature；'〃 Zava gently asked； 〃are they all the
laws you have？〃
〃I should say not！〃 protested Terry。 〃We have systems of law
that go back thousands and thousands of yearsjust as you do； no doubt；〃
he finished politely。
〃Oh no；〃 Moadine told him。 〃We have no laws over a hundred
years old； and most of them are under twenty。 In a few weeks more；〃 she
continued； 〃we are going to have the pleasure of showing you over our
little land and explaining everything you care to know about。 We want you
to see our people。〃
〃And I assure you；〃 Somel added； 〃that our people want to see
you。〃
Terry brightened up immensely at this news； and reconciled
himself to the renewed demands upon our capacity as teachers。 It was
lucky that we knew so little； really； and had no books to refer to； else； I
fancy we might all be there yet； teaching those eager…minded women
about the rest of the world。
As to geography； they had the tradition of the Great Sea； beyond
the mountains； and they could see for themselves the endless thick…
forested plains below themthat was all。 But from the few records of
their ancient conditionnot 〃before the flood〃 with them； but before that
mighty quake which had cut them off so completelythey were aware that
there were other peoples and other countries。
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In geology they were quite ignorant。
As to anthropology； they had those same remnants of
information about other peoples； and the knowledge of the savagery of the
occupants of those dim forests below。 Nevertheless； they had inferred
（marvelously keen on inference and deduction their minds were！） the
existence and development of civilization in other places； much as we
infer it on other planets。
When our biplane came whirring over their heads in that first
scouting flight of ours； they had instantly accepted it as proof of the high
development of Some Where Else； and had prepared to receive us as
cautiously and eagerly as we might prepare to welcome visitors who came
〃by meteor〃 from Mars。
Of historyoutside their ownthey knew nothing； of course；
save for their ancient traditions。
Of astronomy they had a fair working knowledgethat is a very
old science； and with it； a surprising range and facility in mathematics。
Physiology they were quite familiar with。 Indeed； when it
came to the simpler and more concrete sciences； wherein the subject
matter was at hand and they had but to exercise their minds upon it； the
results were surprising。 They had worked out a chemistry； a botany； a
physics； with all the blends where a science touches an art； or merges into
an industry； to such fullness of knowledge as made us feel like
schoolchildren。
Also we found this outas soon as we were free of the country；
and by further study and questionthat what one knew； all knew； to a very
considerable extent。
I talked later with little mountain girls from the fir…dark valleys
away up at their highest part； and with sunburned plains… women and agile
foresters； all over the country； as well as those in the towns； and
everywhere there was the same high level of intelligence。 Some knew
far more than others about one thing they were specialized； of course；
but all of them knew more about everythingthat is； about everything the
country was acquainted withthan is the case with us。
We boast a good deal of our 〃high level of general intelligence〃
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and our 〃compulsory public education；〃 but in proportion to their
opportunities they were far better educated than our people。
With what we told them； from what sketches and models we
were able to prepare； they constructed a sort of working outline to fill in as
they learned more。
A big globe was made； and our uncertain maps； helped out by
those in that precious yearbook thing I had； were tentatively indicated
upon it。
They sat in eager groups； masses of them who came for the
purpose； and listened while Jeff roughly ran over the geologic history of
the earth； and showed them their own land in relation to the others。 Out
of that same pocket reference book of mine came facts and figures which
were seized upon and placed in right relation with unerring acumen。
Even Terry grew interested in this work。 〃If we can keep this
up； they'll be having us lecture to all the girls' schools and colleges how
about that？〃 he suggested to us。 〃Don't know as I'd object to being an
Authority to such audiences。〃
They did； in fact； urge us to give public lectures later； but not to
the hearers or with the purpose we expected。
What they were doing with us was likelikewell； say like
Napoleon extracting military information from a few illiterate peasants。
They knew just what to ask； and just what use to make of it； they had
mechanical appliances for disseminating information almost equal to ours
at home； and by the time we were led forth to lecture； our audiences had
thoroughly mastered a well… arranged digest of all we had previously
given to our teachers； and were prepared with such notes and questions as
might have intimidated a university professor。
They were not audiences of girls； either。 It was some time
before we were allowed to meet the young women。
〃Do you mind telling what you intend to do with us？〃 Terry burst forth
one day； facing the calm and friendly Moadine with that funny half…
blustering air of his。 At first he used to storm and flourish quite a good
deal； but nothing seemed to amuse them more； they would gather around
and watch him as if it was an exhibition； politely； but with evident interest。
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So he learned to check himself； and was almost reasonable in his bearing
but not quite。
She announced smoothly and evenly： 〃Not in the least。 I
thought it was quite plain。 We are trying to learn of you all we can； and
to teach you what you are willing to learn of our country。〃
〃Is that all？〃 he insisted。
She smiled a quiet enigmatic smile。 〃That depends。〃
〃Depends on what？〃
〃Mainly on yourselves；〃 she replied。
〃Why do you keep us shut up so closely？〃
〃Because we do not feel quite safe in allowing you at large
where there are so many young women。〃
Terry was really pleased at that。 He had thought as much；
inwardly； but he pushed the question。 〃Why should you be afraid？ We
are gentlemen。〃
She smiled that little smile again； and asked： 〃Are ‘gentlemen'
always safe？〃
〃You surely do not think that any of us；〃 he said it with a good
deal of emphasis on the 〃us；〃 〃would hurt your young girls？〃
〃Oh no；〃 she said quickly； in real surprise。 〃The danger is quite
the other way。 They might hurt you。 If； by any accident； you did harm
any one of us； you would have to face a million mothers。〃
He looked so amazed and outraged that Jeff and I laughed
outright； but she went on gently。
〃I do not think you quite understand yet。 You are but men；
three men； in a country where the whole population are mothers or are
going to be。 Motherhood means to us something which I cannot yet
discover in any of the countries of which you tell us。 You have spoken〃
