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people? The English working classes? I can assure you that there is quite as much civilization to be found among them as among their so-called betters, and very much more hope for the future. I think it is they who are going to do most of the tidying up; — and I agree that there’s a great deal to be done.—But they won’t devour anybody, as the wretched Russians had to do; it is uneducated to draw any comparison between the Russian despotism and our democracy;—they will be perfectly decent and kind through all the reorganization, you may be sure of it; as they always have been.’

Clive remained, looking quietly at his wife while she delivered herself of this homily, which was not, it was evident, directed against him. When she had finished he said, smiling with just a touch of quizzical reassurance; as though he calmed and sustained her: ‘Quite right, dear.’

‘Yes; quite right, Mrs. Wilmott!’ Ingpen echoed, bowing across the table towards her. Had she touched him in her youth and ardour? He, too, smiled, and his smile was not sardonic. ‘We all agree that the British working man is the best of good fellows —if also one of the stupidest. No doubt he will evolve a very tidy world for us; all garden-cities, greyhound-racing, cinemas and cheap