"A standard of gold set in the tides of trade? A beautiful image," said Brand, thoughtfully. "But, dear me, how it condemns poor Ulster! The tide is an age-long ebb of falling prices. So is the standard changed to a cross, and the debtor hangs there." "I don't understand," cried Margaret, affrighted. "Neither did the Jews. The cross was of timber once. Do you remember? and He who suffered, expressly said, 'they know not what they do.' The Jews were priests then, now they are bankers, brokers of money, usurers, capitalists of Ulster's party. And the cross is changed to gold where mankind hangs crucified. 'They know not what they do.'" "Oh, this is blasphemy!" "May I not even speak of the cross--I, the bearer of that cross?" Our Lady looked at his clear eyes, and was ashamed. Then trying to defend her cause-- "My Chancellor came to me," she cried. "It is not then the crucified who cried to the Queen for help? Oh, may I plead for them?" So gravely, sorrowfully he spoke for the men who labour on the land, who face the dangers of the air, who sweat in the deep pits, who drive the machines in the factories--for all the great labouring nation. "Oh, Mr. Brand, I can't listen to this! The nation sends the men who advise me." "The Jewish nation? Yet even Ulster, their high priest, has generously permitted my coming." "Not to convert me to your strange views, Mr. Brand." "But to be condemned unheard? Oh, surely not!" "Go on," said the Queen, indignantly. "I spoke of the standard, or cross of gold," he said. "I, the idol maker, dared to speak blasphemously of the false god I have to uphold." Margaret saw the twinkle in his eye, and could hardly restrain herself from smiling. "I'm going to be still more wicked," he went on. "I'm going to tear the idol down and break it all to pieces. Ulster would agree with me that our wealth is the stored-up labour of the bread-winners, that all our capital arises from their patient, endless work. By that measure we are so much better than our savage ancestors, whose way of earning was to snatch and run." The Queen nodded assent. "These counters then, which we call money, are something more sacred than stamped gold or silver. They are hours of human life beaten out on the anvils of destiny. My tokens of labour were first used at Lyonesse, and it has become the most prosperous town in the world. The United States adopted the labour money, and it is the most prosperous of all nations. My currency stops half the cheating in finance, and Ulster's capitalists are in a state of fear. I speak for the whole labour party throughout the Empire, and for my own dear country, for after three generations we Brands are still Republicans of the United States. Yes, Ulster has argued wisely of the tides of trade--he dreads the tidal wave. I have set it in motion, and if this Chancellor attempts the least resistance, it will sweep away his Government."