'In my dream--only in my dream. Those who inherit riches are burdened with the weight of their wealth, which will not suffer them to enter into the arena; will not allow them to develop and to exercise their talents, and afflicts them with the mental and bodily diseases that belong to indolence. The poor, on the other hand, who live from day to day, sometimes out of work for weeks together, practise easily the simple virtues of brotherly love, charity, and mutual helpfulness. They have learned to combine for the good of all rather than to fight, one against another, for selfish gain. It is the only world where all are borrowing and lending, giving and helping.' 'Brother, this dream of yours is like a socialistic tract.' 'It may be. Yet you see how strongly it takes hold of me, that while I see the absurdity of the whole thing, it is not unpleasing to recall the recollection of it. Well--I do not know what set me talking about this dream.' The smiles left his face: he became grave again: he ceased to talk: for the rest of the evening he was once more the old solicitor, weighed down with the affairs of other people. 'Checkley'--it was on the doorstep, and Sir Samuel waited while his wife said a few fond things to her sister--'what the devil came over my brother to-night?' 'I don't know indeed, Sir Samuel. I never heard him talk like that before. Doin' good to 'em? Servin' a writ upon 'em is more our line. I think he must be upset somewhere in his inside, and it's gone to his head.' 'Practical benevolence! Living for other people! Have you heard him complain of anything?' 'No, Sir Samuel. He never complains. Eats hearty, walks upright and strong, works like he always has worked.--Doin' good! And the blessedness of being pore! Seems most wonderful. Blessedness of being pore! Well, Sir Samuel, I've enjoyed that blessedness myself, and I know what it's like. Any or'nary preachin' chap might talk that nonsense; but for your eminent brother, Sir Samuel, such a lawyer as him--to be talking such stuff--if I may humbly so speak of my learned master's words--it is--Sir Samuel--it really is amazing!' 'He said it was a dream, remember. But I agree with you, Checkley.--It is amazing.' 'Humph! The blessedness of being pore! And over such a glass of port, too! I thought I should ha' rolled off my chair--I did, indeed.--Here's your good lady, Sir Samuel.' * * * * * 'Elsie,' said Mrs. Arundel in the carriage, 'I think it was high time that Mr. Dering should take a partner. He to dream of practical benevolence! He to be diffusing happiness with open hands! Oh! most lamentable--I call it. However, the deeds are signed, and we are all right. In case of anything happening, it is a comfort to think that George's position would be only improved.' CHAPTER IX AT THE GATES OF PARADISE