Adjusted formatting of dialogue attribution in chapters 18 and 19

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Kenneth John Odle 2023-06-23 13:22:43 -04:00
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@ -2704,21 +2704,21 @@ pick-pockets and cut-throats of my country are to be worshipped by your wise
men as being Gods: for there is not one of them that does not see as much as
you see now. But trust me, your wise men are wrong.''
I. Then is omnividence the attribute of
\textit{I}. Then is omnividence the attribute of
others besides Gods?
SPHERE. I do not know. But, if a pick-pocket or a cut-throat of our country
\textit{Sphere}. I do not know. But, if a pick-pocket or a cut-throat of our country
can see everything that is in your country, surely that is no reason why the
pick-pocket or cut-throat should be accepted by you as a God. This
omnividence, as you call it --- it is not a common word in Spaceland --- does it
make you more just, more merciful, less selfish, more loving? Not in the
least. Then how does it make you more divine?
I. ``More merciful, more loving!'' But these are the qualities of women! And we
\textit{I}. ``More merciful, more loving!'' But these are the qualities of women! And we
know that a Circle is a higher Being than a Straight Line, in so far as
knowledge and wisdom are more to be esteemed than mere affection.
SPHERE. It is not for me to classify human faculties according to merit. Yet
\textit{Sphere}. It is not for me to classify human faculties according to merit. Yet
many of the best and wisest in Spaceland think more of the affections than of
the understanding, more of your despised Straight Lines than of your belauded
Circles. But enough of this. Look yonder. Do you know that building?
@ -2867,14 +2867,14 @@ thirsted for yet deeper and fuller draughts than he was offering to me.
of all Beauty; but let me beg thee to vouchsafe thy servant a sight of thine
interior.''
SPHERE. My what?
\textit{Sphere}. My what?
I. Thine interior: thy stomach, thy intestines.
\textit{I}. Thine interior: thy stomach, thy intestines.
SPHERE. Whence this ill-timed impertinent request? And what mean you by saying
\textit{Sphere}. Whence this ill-timed impertinent request? And what mean you by saying
that I am no longer the Perfection of all Beauty?
I. My Lord, your own wisdom has taught me to aspire to One even more great,
\textit{I}. My Lord, your own wisdom has taught me to aspire to One even more great,
more beautiful, and more closely approximate to Perfection than yourself. As
you yourself, superior to all Flatland forms, combine many Circles in One, so
doubtless there is One above you who combines many Spheres in One Supreme
@ -2889,20 +2889,20 @@ and where thine own intestines, and those of thy kindred Spheres, will lie
exposed to the view of the poor wandering exile from Flatland, to whom so much
has already been vouchsafed.
SPHERE. Pooh! Stuff! Enough of this trifling! The time is short, and much
\textit{Sphere}. Pooh! Stuff! Enough of this trifling! The time is short, and much
remains to be done before you are fit to proclaim the Gospel of Three
Dimensions to your blind benighted countrymen in Flatland.
I. Nay, gracious Teacher, deny me not what I know it is in thy power to
\textit{I}. Nay, gracious Teacher, deny me not what I know it is in thy power to
perform. Grant me but one glimpse of thine interior, and I am satisfied for
ever, remaining henceforth thy docile pupil, thy unemacipable slave, ready to
receive all thy teachings and to feed upon the words that fall from thy lips.
SPHERE. Well, then, to content and silence you, let me say at once, I would
\textit{Sphere}. Well, then, to content and silence you, let me say at once, I would
shew you what you wish if I could; but I cannot. Would you have me turn my
stomach inside out to oblige you?
I. But my Lord has shewn me the intestines of all my countrymen in the Land of
\textit{I}. But my Lord has shewn me the intestines of all my countrymen in the Land of
Two Dimensions by taking me with him into the Land of Three. What therefore
more easy than now to take his servant on a second journey into the blessed
region of the Fourth Dimension, where I shall look down with him once more
@ -2911,14 +2911,14 @@ three-dimensioned house, the secrets of the solid earth, the treasures of the
mines of Spaceland, and the intestines of every solid living creature, even
the noble and adorable Spheres.
SPHERE. But where is this land of Four Dimensions?
\textit{Sphere}. But where is this land of Four Dimensions?
I. I know not: but doubtless my Teacher knows.
\textit{I}. I know not: but doubtless my Teacher knows.
SPHERE. Not I. There is no such land. The very idea of it is utterly
\textit{Sphere}. Not I. There is no such land. The very idea of it is utterly
inconceivable.
I. Not inconceivable, my Lord, to me, and therefore still less inconceivable
\textit{I}. Not inconceivable, my Lord, to me, and therefore still less inconceivable
to my Master. Nay, I despair not that, even here, in this region of Three
Dimensions, your Lordship's art may make the Fourth Dimension visible to me;
just as in the Land of Two Dimensions my Teacher's skill would fain have
@ -2934,9 +2934,9 @@ infinitesimal and incapable of measurement?
And besides this, there is the Argument from Analogy of Figures.
SPHERE. Analogy! Nonsense: what analogy?
\textit{Sphere}. Analogy! Nonsense: what analogy?
I. Your Lordship tempts his servant to see whether he remembers the
\textit{I}. Your Lordship tempts his servant to see whether he remembers the
revelations imparted to him. Trifle not with me, my Lord; I crave, I thirst,
for more knowledge. Doubtless we cannot see that other higher Spaceland now,
because we have no eye in our stomachs. But, just as there was the realm of
@ -2986,25 +2986,25 @@ of doors or windows, and appearing and vanishing at will? On the reply to this
question I am ready to stake everything. Deny it, and I am henceforth silent.
Only vouchsafe an answer.
Sphere (after a pause). It is reported so. But men are divided in opinion as
\textit{Sphere} (after a pause). It is reported so. But men are divided in opinion as
to the facts. And even granting the facts, they explain them in different
ways. And in any case, however great may be the number of different
explanations, no one has adopted or suggested the theory of a Fourth
Dimension. Therefore, pray have done with this trifling, and let us return to
business.
I. I was certain of it. I was certain that my anticipations would be
\textit{I}. I was certain of it. I was certain that my anticipations would be
fulfilled. And now have patience with me and answer me yet one more question,
best of Teachers! Those who have thus appeared --- no one knows whence --- and
have returned --- no one knows whither --- have they also contracted their
sections and vanished somehow into that more Spacious Space, whither I now
entreat you to conduct me?
Sphere (moodily). They have vanished, certainly --- if they ever appeared. But
\textit{Sphere} (moodily). They have vanished, certainly --- if they ever appeared. But
most people say that these visions arose from the thought --- you will not
understand me --- from the brain; from the perturbed angularity of the Seer.
I. Say they so? Oh, believe them not. Or if it indeed be so, that this other
\textit{I}. Say they so? Oh, believe them not. Or if it indeed be so, that this other
Space is really Thoughtland, then take me to that blessed Region where I in
Thought shall see the insides of all solid things. There, before my ravished
eye, a Cube moving in some altogether new direction, but strictly according to