“I HAVE invented a new game,” said the Spirit of Evil. “Child,” said the Spirit of Good, smiling benevolently, “will you never grow up? Ah well, go away and play with it.”
“But,” said the Spirit of Evil, deeply disappointed, “it won’t be any fun unless I tell you about it.”
“How long will it take?” inquired the Spirit of Good cautiously.
“Only a million or two years at most,” said the Spirit of Evil.
“In that case I will listen. What do you call it, child?”
“I call it man,” said the Spirit of Evil, and he described humanity to the Spirit of Good.
“You horrid, disgusting little wretch,” said the Spirit of Good after she had listened patiently for a few thousand centuries. “Stop that game at once. I won’t have it.”
“But, Good darling!” said Evil, “you did enjoy it when they believed that you had invented them, now didn’t you?”
“It certainly was funny,” said Good with a gentle sigh, “but all the same, I rather blame myself for having listened.”
“But it was only a game,” said Evil.
“That’s true,” said Good, “but be more careful with the next one.”