"But millions will die in the meantime," I protested. She turned on me with what I can only describe as tigrish ferocity. "Did you think of the millions you condemned to death when you refused to sell concentrates to the Asiatic refugees?" "How could I sell to people who couldnt buy?" "And the millions who died because you refused them employment?" "Am I responsible for those too shiftless to fend for themselves?" "'Am I my brother's keeper?' If fifty million Englishmen die because I cannot hasten the process of trial and error, the guilt is mine and I admit it. I do not seek to exculpate myself by pointing a finger at you or by silly and pompous evasions of my responsibility. If the Grass comes before I am ready, the fault is mine. In the meantime, while one creature remains alive, even if his initials be A W, I shall seek to preserve him. As long as there is a foothold on land I shall try on land; and when that fails we shall board the _Sisyphus_ and finish our work there, somewhere in the Atlantic." "You mean you definitely abandon hope of perfecting your compound before England goes?" "I abandon nothing," she replied. "I think it's quite possible I'll finish in time to save England, but I can't afford to do anything but look forward to the worst. And that is that we'll be driven to the sea." I was appalled by the picture her words elicited: a few ships containing the survivors; a world covered with the Grass. "And when success is attained we shall fight our way back inch by inch." But this piece of bombast didnt hearten me. I had no desire to fight our way back inch by inch; I wanted at least a fragment of civilization salvaged. _September 19_: F has not been the only one to think of the high seas as a final refuge. The London office has been literally besieged by men of wealth eager to pay any price to charter one of our ships. I have given orders to grant no more charters for the present. _September 20_: The enthusiasm is subsiding and people are beginning to ask how long it will be before they can expect the reconquest of the Continent to begin. BBC spoke cautiously about "perfection" of the compound for the first time, opening the way to the implication that it doesnt work as yet. Added quite a bit to my manuscript. _September 21_: Mrs H, in very dignified mood, approached me; said she heard I had made plans to leave England in case the Grass threatened. She asked nothing for herself, she said, being quite content to accept whatever fate Providence had in store for her, but, would I take her daughter and family along on the _Sisyphus_? They would be quite useful, she added lamely. I said I would give the matter my attention, but assured her there was no immediate danger. _September 22_: Grass on the Isle of Man. _September 23_: Ordered stocking of the _Sisyphus_ with as much concentrates as she can carry. The supply will be ample for a full crew, F's staff and myself for at least six months.