In the inspector's opinion it should run
parallel with the old road. To continue the old road two miles
further would involve extra labour; the people would have to go
further to their work, and the stones would have to be drawn
further. The priest held that the extra labour was of secondary
importance. He said that to make two roads running parallel with
each other would be a wanton humiliation to the people.
But the inspector could not appreciate the priest's arguments. He
held that the people were thinking only how they might earn enough
money to fill their bellies.
"I don't agree with you, I don't agree with you," said the priest.
"Better go in the opposite direction and make a road to the sea."
"Well, your reverence, the Government do not wish to engage upon
any work that will benefit any special class. These are my
instructions."
"A road to the sea will benefit no one.... I see you are thinking
of the landlord. But there is no harbour; no boat ever comes into
that flat, waste sea."
"Well, your reverence, one of these days a harbour may be made,
whereas an arch would look well in the middle of the bog, and the
people would not have to go far to their work."
"No, no. A road to the sea will be quite useless; but its futility
will not be apparent--at least, not so apparent--and the people's
hearts will not be broken."
The inspector seemed a little doubtful, but the priest assured him
that the futility of the road would satisfy English ministers.
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