The cab lumbered on through dull, dimly lit, residential roads. Only by
the swinging gleam of an occasional street lamp could Paul distinguish
the faces of his companions. "I hope you're on our side, Mr. Finn," he
said politely to his host, who sat on the small back seat.
"I don't disagree with much that you said to-night. But you are on the
side of wealth and aristocracy. I am on the side of the downtrodden and
oppressed."
"But so am I," cried Paul. "The work of every day of my life tends to
help them."
"You're a Conservative and I'm a Radical."
"What do labels matter? We're both attacking the same problem, only
from different angles."
"Very likely, Mr. Savelli; but you'll pardon me if, according to my
political creed, I regard your angle as an obtuse one."
Paul wondered greatly who he could be, this grave, intelligent friend
of Barney Bill's, who spoke with such dignity and courtesy. In his
speech was a trace of rough accent; but his words were chosen with
precision.
"You think we glance off, whereas your attack is more direct," laughed
Paul.
"That is so. I hope you don't mind my saying it. You were the
challenger."
"I was. But anyhow we're not going to be enemies."
"God forbid," said Mr. Finn.
Presently the cab stopped before a fairly large detached house standing
back from the road. A name which Paul could not decipher was painted on
the top bar of the gate. They trooped through and up some steps to the
front door, which Mr. Finn opened with his latchkey. The first
impression that Paul had on entering a wide vestibule was a blaze of
gilt frames containing masses of bright, fresh paint. A parlour-maid
appeared, and helped with hats and coats.
"We are having a very simple supper, Mr. Savelli. Will you join us?"
said Mr. Finn.
"With the greatest pleasure," said Paul.
The host threw open the dining-room door on the right. Jane and Paul
entered; were alone for a few moments, during which Paul heard Barney
Bill say in a hoarse whisper: "Let me have my hunk of bread and beef in
the kitchen, Silas. You know as how I hates a fork and I likes to eat
in my shirt sleeves."
Paul seized Jane by the arms and regarded her luminously. He murmured:
"Did you hear? The dear old chap!"
She raised clear, calm eyes. "Aren't you shocked?"
He shook her. "What do you take me for?"
Jane was rebellious. "For what girls in my position generally call a
'toff.' You---"
"You're horrid," said Paul.
"The word's horrid, not me. You're away up above us."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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