"But if you take ready mixing as your test of power," said Pash, "some of the least practical ideas beat everything. They spread without being understood, and enter into the language without being thought of."
"They may act by changing the distribution of gases," said Marrables; "instruments are getting so fine now, men may come to register the spread of a theory by observed changes in the atmosphere and corresponding changes in the nerves."
"Yes," said Pash, his dark face lighting up rather impishly, "there is the idea of nationalities; I dare say the wild asses are snuffing it, and getting more gregarious."
"You don't share that idea?" said Deronda, finding a piquant incongruity between Pash's sarcasm and the strong stamp of race on his features.
"Say, rather, he does not share that spirit," said Mordecai, who had turned a melancholy glance on Pash. "Unless nationality is a feeling, what force can it have as an idea?"
"Granted, Mordecai," said Pash, quite good-humoredly. "And as the feeling of nationality is dying, I take the idea to be no better than a ghost, already walking to announce the death."

"But some of the least practical ideas beat everything," said Pash. "They spread without being understood, and enter into the language without being thought of."
"They may act by changing the distribution of gases," said Marrables; "Instruments are getting so fine now, men may come to register the spread of a theory by changes in the atmosphere and corresponding changes in the nerves."
"Yes," said Pash, his dark face lighting up impishly, "take the idea of nationalities; I dare say the wild asses are snuffing it, and getting more gregarious."
"You don't share that idea?" said Deronda, finding a piquant incongruity between Pash's sarcasm and the strong stamp of race on his features.
"Say, rather, he does not share that spirit," said Mordecai, turning a melancholy glance on Pash. "Unless nationality is a feeling, what force can it have as an idea?"
"Granted, Mordecai," said Pash good-humouredly. "And as the feeling of nationality is dying, the idea is no better than a ghost."
