oming man! Well, perhaps, I _am_; who knows? At all events, it's
something to know that you believe in me. And it may be that you are
not the only one."

Later, Dyce and his father went into the study to smoke. The young man
brought with him a large paperbacked volume which he had taken out of
his travelling bag.

"Here's a book I'm reading. A few days ago I happened to be at Williams
& Norgates'. This caught my eyes, and a glance at a page or two
interested me so much that I bought it at once. It would please you,
father."

"I've no time for reading nowadays," sighed the vicar. "What is it?"

He took the volume, a philosophical work by a French writer, bearing
recent date. Mr. Lashmar listlessly turned a few pages, whilst Dyce was
filling and lighting his pipe.

"It's uncommonly suggestive," said Dyce, between puffs. "The best
social theory I know. He calls his system Bio-sociology; a theory of
society founded on the facts of biology--thoroughly scientific and
convincing. Smashing socialism in the common sense that is, social
democracy; but establishing a true socialism in harmony with the
aristocratic principle. I'm sure you'd enjoy it. I fancy it's just your
view."

"Yes--perhaps so--"

"Here's the central idea. No true sociology could be established before
the facts of biology were known, as the one results from the other. In
both, the ruling principle is that of association, with the evolution
of a directing power. An animal is an association of cells. Every
association implies division of labour. Now, progress in organic
development means the slow constitution of an organ--the brain--which
shall direct the body. So in society--an association of individuals,
with slow constitution of a directing organ, called the Government. The
problem of civilisation is to establish government on scientific
principles--to pick out the fit for rule--to distinguish between the
Multitude and the Select, and at the same time to balance their
working. It is nonsense to talk about Equality. Evolution is engaged in
_cephalising_ the political aggregate--as it did the aggregate of cells
in the animal organism. It makes for the differentiation of the Select
and of the Crowd--that is to say, towards Inequality."

"Very interesting," murmured the vicar, who listened with an effort
whilst mechanically loading his pipe.

"Isn't it? And the ideas are well marked out; first the
bio-sociological theory,--then the psychology and ethic