‘And we have thought about it long,’ said Wentworth; ‘and the more we think about it the better we like it. But we want you to accompany us.’ ‘In what capacity?’ ‘As medical man.’ ‘And you think I would turn my back on London, and give up my easy life, to undertake all this responsibility?’ ‘Well, I don’t see why you should not,’ said Wentworth. ‘You are not doing much good here, you know.’ ‘And why should I, when everyone is fussing about doing good and in the meantime doing a great deal of mischief, interfering with the working of the unalterable laws of the universe, washing blackamoors white, trying to make empty sacks stand upright?’ ‘Yes, but we are going to do nothing of the kind. We are only finding homes and work for men and women who can find in the old country neither the one nor the other—to save them from sinking into hopeless pauperism, to help them to live happy and healthful lives. What have you to say against our scheme?’ ‘Really, now I think about it, I can’t say anything against it, supposing that you have a proper site for the experiment, that you take proper people, and that you have sufficient capital to make a fair start.’ ‘Oh, as to that, everything has been provided for. Each colonist will have a bit of ground, which he will pay for in time by his labour. We intend working on the old lines, not to be led away by communistic ideas. Each man will do the best he can for himself, and in so doing will be best for all. What do you think, Buxton, of the scheme?’ ‘Why, like all her ladyship’s ideas, it is excellent.’ ‘Pretty flatterer!’ said Rose. ‘He wants to cut me out,’ said Wentworth. ‘He was always envious of my superior abilities.’ ‘As he had every reason to be,’ said Rose. ‘Come, that’s too bad,’ said Buxton, turning to Rose, ‘after the way in which I buttered you up just now. Two to one ain’t fair. But to return to business.’ ‘Hear, hear,’ said Wentworth. ‘If I had a family—which, thank Heaven, I have not—I would not stop in England a day. If I had a lad to plant out in the world as you have, I’d send him off to America or the Colonies to-morrow.’ ‘Because?’ ‘Because it’s all up in old England in the first place; and in the second place, because if it were not so, the New World offers better opportunities for a young fellow than the old. May I dwell upon these topics?’ ‘Certainly, by all means.’ ‘Well, I have met a good many Americans lately, and they have put new ideas into my head—’ ‘Not before they were wanted!’ said Wentworth. ‘Speak for yourself, sir, if you please,’ said Buxton, with an assumed offended air. ‘Oh, I beg pardon! Pray proceed.’