``Youmight，ifyouwerewithotherpeoplewhothoughtinthesameway，\'\'hesaid，``andifyouhadn\'tfoundoutthatitissuchamistaketothinkinthatway，thatit\'sevenstupid。But，yousee，ifyouwereI，youwouldhavelivedwithmyfather，andhe\'dhavetoldyouwhatheknows——whathe\'sbeenfindingoutallhislife。\'\'
``What\'shefoundout？\'\'
``Oh！\'\'Marcoanswered，quitecasually，``justthatyoucan\'tsetsavagethoughtslooseintheworld，anymorethanyoucanletloosesavagebeastswithhydrophobia。Theyspreadasortofrabies，andtheyalwaystearandworryyoufirstofall。\'\'
``Whatdoyoumean？\'\'TheRatgaspedout。
``It\'slikethis，\'\'saidMarco，lyingflatandcoolonhishardpillowandlookingatthereflectionofthestreetlampontheceiling。``ThatdayIturnedintoyourBarracks，withoutknowingthatyou\'dthinkIwasspying，itmadeyoufeelsavage，andyouthrewthestoneatme。IfithadmademefeelsavageandI\'drushedinandfought，whatwouldhavehappenedtoallofus？\'\'