the present, which fill
the heart with comforting thoughts, and the life with the sweet
satisfactions and peace of possession.

"Home is a full cup, father!" she said. And Peter, standing at the
head of his table, smiled at Yanna; and then lifted up his hands and
asked God's blessing on it!

CHAPTER IV

Fortunately for Adriana, the Filmers were not named at the dinner
table. Antony had a new subject to discuss; for on the previous day,
while in New York, an acquaintance had taken him to a Socialist
meeting. The topic had been treated on its most poetic and hopeful
side, and Antony was all enthusiasm for its happy possibilities. Peter
listened without any emotion. He did not believe that crime, nor even
poverty, would be abolished by merely new social arrangements.

"It is the _inner_ change in individuals that will do it, Antony,"
he said. "I have heard, and I have read, all sides of the Socialism
of the day; and I tell you, it is half brutal, and altogether
insufficient to cure existing wrongs."

"But, father, if the framework of society, which is all wrong, is put
all right, would not individuals in the mass take the right form? As
far as I can judge, they are ready to run into any mold prepared for
them."

"No. You may set all without right; and all within may remain wrong.
It is the new heart and the new spirit that is required. Will
Socialism touch the inner man and woman? If not, then Socialism is a
failure."

"I do not think it hopes to do this at once; but wider education, more
time, more money, more individual liberty----"

"Will only produce more license, more pride of intellect, more
self-will; and men and women will become as indomitable as the beasts
of the desert; and a law unto themselves."

"Then, father, what would you propose?"

"I see the answer in Yanna's face. She knows, Antony, what I would
say, if I could say the words as well as she can--'_So much the
rather_'----go on, Yanna." And Yanna's face lighted and lifted as she
repeated with calm intensity:

"So much the rather Thou Celestial Light
Shine inward! and the mind through all her powers.
Irradiate!"

"The Inward Light! That is what is needed. These reformers talk too
much, and think, and do, too little. Were there many Americans
present?"

"The majority were foreigners. They were not ill-natured; they were
even cheerful and good-tempered. They had their wives and children
with them. They had beer to drink, and