“But your own vegetarianism, Mrs. Costello,†says President Garrard, pouring oil on troubled waters: “it comes out of moral conviction, does it not?â€
“No, I don't think so,†says his mother. “It comes out of a desire to save my soul.â€
Now there truly is a silence, broken only by the clink of plates as the waitresses set baked Alaskas before them.
“Well, I have a great respect for it,†says Garrard. “As a way of life.â€
“I'm wearing leather shoes,†says his mother. “I'm carrying a leather purse. I wouldn't have overmuch respect if I were you.â€
“Consistency,†murmurs Garrard. “Consistency is the hobgoblin of small minds. Surely one can draw a distinction between eating meat and wearing leather.â€
“Degrees of obscenity,†she replies.
J. M. Coetzee