ve their children born to a better
life, and their children's children move on the upward plane. Human
nature isn't like that, especially the human nature which I admit has
suffered from the selfishness and greediness of the middle classes
through all these years. The people aren't ready to dream dreams. They
want money in their pockets, cash, so much a week--nothing else. I tell
you that self-interest is before the eyes of every one of those
Lancashire operatives to whom you are going to speak. An hour or so
less work a week, an ounce more of tobacco, a glass of beer when he
feels inclined, a little more money in the bank--that's what he wants."

"You may be speaking the truth, Mr. Foley," Maraton confessed quietly.
"At any rate, you have voiced some of my deepest fears. I know that I
cannot bring the people to my standard by showing them the whole of my
mind. But why should I? If I know that my cause is just, if I know
that it is for the good of the world, isn't it my duty to conceal as
much as I find it wise to conceal, to keep my hand to the plough, even
though I drive it through the fields of devastation?"

"Then your mission is not an honest one," Lord Armley declared suddenly.
"It is dishonest that good things may come of it."

"It is possible to reason like that," Maraton admitted.

"Now, listen," Mr. Foley continued. "I will show you the other way. I
will look with you into the future. I cannot agree with all your views
but I, too, would like to see the diminution of capital from the hands
of the manufacturers and the middle classes, and an increase of
prosperity to the operatives. I would like to see the gulf between them
narrowed year by year. I would like to see the working man everywhere
established in quarters where life is wholesome and pleasant. I would
like to see his schools better, even, than they are at present. I would
like to see him, in the years to come, a stronger, a more capable, a
more dignified unit of the Empire. He can only be made so by
prosperity. Therefore, I wish for him prosperity. You want to sow the
country red with ruin and fire, and there isn't any man breathing, not
even you, can tell exactly what the outcome of it all might be. I want
to work at the same thing more gently. Last year for the first time, I
passed a Bill in Parliament which interfered between the relations of
master and man. In a certain trade dispute I compelled the employers,
by Act of Parliament, to agree to a