‘I have chosen the way of truth’ – was that how it went on? So he had. He couldn’t pretend not to see what was right in front of him. He must speak out about politics: the fate of the world, let alone the Empire, was at stake. How were different peoples to live together in community with the least damage? How to contain the violence of greed? He could see now, at a distance, that was what Mowgli and the Jungle Law had always meant. But the fools – his readers, the world – had turned ‘the law of the jungle’ on its head so it meant rapine and slaughter. With a groan he repeated aloud ‘Take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth –’
He checked himself. Onwards, enough of these wretched regrets. There was some comfort. He noticed that Trix left his lyrics alone. There was no mocking ech
