"But the question is: Are those
the qualities that we want nowadays? I admire Sir Walter Raleigh,
but I should be sorry to see him, just as he was, playing an active
part in our time."
"They say," ventured Irene, with a smile, "that but for such men, we
may really become a mere nation of shopkeepers."
"Do they? But may we not fear that their ideal is simply a
shopkeeper ready to shoot anyone who rivals him in trade? The finer
qualities I admit; but one distrusts the objects they serve."
"We are told," said Irene, "that England _must_ expand."
"Probably. But the mere necessity of the case must not become our
law. It won't do for a great people to say, 'Make room for us, and
we promise to set you a fine example of civilisation; refuse to make
room, and we'll blow your brains out!' One doubts the quality of the
civilisation promised."
Irene laughed, delighted with the vigour underlying the old lady's
calm and gentle habit of speech. Yet she was not convinced, though
she wished to be. A good many times she had heard in thought the
suavely virile utterances of Arnold Jacks; his voice had something
that pleased her, and his way of looking at things touched her
imagination. She wished these ladies knew Arnold Jacks, that she
might ask their opinion of him.
And yet, she felt she would rather not have asked it.
CHAPTER XI
From this retreat, Irene wrote to her cousin Olga Hannaford, and in
the course of the letter made inquiry whether anything was known at
Ewell about a severe illness that had befallen young Mr.
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