1984 - Planet eBook

cating effect. Actually, when he came to swallow it, the stuffwas distinctly disappointing. The truth was that after yearsof gin-drinking he could barely taste it. He set down theempty glass.‘Then there is such a person as Goldstein?’ he said.‘Yes, there is such a person, and he is alive. Where, I donot know.’‘And the conspiracy—the organization? Is it real? It is notsimply an invention of the Thought Police?’‘No, it is real. The Brotherhood, we call it. You will neverlearn much more about the Brotherhood than that it existsand that you belong to it. I will come back to that presently.’He looked at his wrist-watch. ‘It is unwise even formembers of the Inner Party to turn off the telescreen formore than half an hour. You ought not to have come heretogether, and you will have to leave separately. You, comrade’—hebowed his head to Julia—’will leave first. We haveabout twenty minutes at our disposal. You will understandthat I must start by asking you certain questions. In generalterms, what are you prepared to do?’‘Anything that we are capable of,’ said Winston.O’Brien had turned himself a little in his chair so that hewas facing Winston. He almost ignored Julia, seeming totake it for granted that Winston could speak for her. For amoment the lids flitted down over his eyes. He began askinghis questions in a low, expressionless voice, as though thiswere a routine, a sort of catechism, most of whose answerswere known to him already.‘You are prepared to give your lives?’