Capitolo 51
but a Point. Man, woman, child the thing--each like a Point to the eye
of a Linelander. Only from the sound of the voice it was able sex or age
is separate. Besides, as every individual occupied the whole one
of the narrow run, so to speak that it constituted his/her Universe,
and nobody could stir to the right or you/he/she could go away to constitute way passers from,
it followed that any Linelanders you/he/she could ever pass another. Once the neighbours,
always the neighbours. Neighbourhood with them was as marriage with us.
Neighbours remained neighbours up to death it made them part.
Such life, with every limited vision to a Point and every motion
to a Right Line, it seemed inexpressibly to me dark; and I was
amazed to notice that vivacity and the joy of the King.
Asking himself/herself/itself if it were possible, among circumstances so unfavourable
to national relationships, to enjoy the pleasures of conjugal union,
I hesitated for of the time to doubt his/her Real Height on so delicate
a subject; but finally me dipped in him suddenly asking
as to the health of his/her family. "My wives and my children", he responded,
"it is well and happy."
Staggered to this answer--for in the immediate proximity of the Monarch
(as I had noticed in my dream before me digitai Lineland) there was no anybody
but Men--I ventured me to answer, me "Pardons, but I cannot imagine as Your
Real height or it is able to some duration sees or you draw near to their Majesties,
when there at least mean a dozen individualizes that interposes him that you are able
neither does he/she see through, neither does it pass from? It is it possible that in Lineland
proximity is not necessary for marriage and for the generation of children?"
"How can you/he/she ask so absurd a question?" answered the Monarch. "If it were
indeed as You suggests, the universe would be unpopulated soon. No, no;
neighbourhood is superfluous for the union of hearts; and the birth
of children it is too much main point a matter to have been permitted to depend