"Then why not employ them?" said Trefusis, with ironical gravity. "The
principle of buying laborforce in the cheapest market and selling its
product in the dearest has done much to make Englishmen--what they are."

"The railway comp'nies keeps 'orspittles for the like of 'IM," said the
man, with a cunning laugh, indicating the horse by smacking him on the
belly with the butt of the whip. "If ever you try bein' a laborer in
earnest, governor, try it on four legs. You'll find it far preferable to
trying on two."

"This man is one of my converts," said Trefusis apart to Henrietta.
"He told me the other day that since I set him thinking he never sees a
gentleman without feeling inclined to heave a brick at him. I find that
socialism is often misunderstood by its least intelligent supporters
and opponents to mean simply unrestrained indulgence of our natural
propensity to heave bricks at respectable persons. Now I am going to
carry you along this plank. If you keep quiet, we may reach the barge.
If not, we shall reach the bottom of the canal."

He carried her safely over, and exchanged some friendly words with the
bargee. Then he took Henrietta forward, and stood watching the water
as they were borne along noiselessly between the hilly pastures of the
country.

"This would be a fairy journey," he said, "if one could forget the woman
down below, cooking her husband's dinner in a stifling hole about as big
as your wardrobe, and--"

"Oh, don't talk any more of these things," she said crossly; "I cannot
help them. I have my own troubles to think of. HER husband lives with