Volume Ii Part 19 (2/2)
said Mr. Stackpole, drily, stroking his chin again.
”So does every right-minded person,” said Mrs. Evelyn. ”I am sure I do.”
”And I am sure so do I,” said Fleda; ”but I think the honour of a piece of generosity is considerably lessened by the fact that it is done at the expense of another.”
”Generosity!” said Mr. Stackpole; ”it was not generosity, it was justice ? there was no generosity about it.”
”Then it deserves no honour at all,” said Fleda, ”if it was merely that; the tardy execution of justice is but the removal of a reproach.”
”We Englishmen are of opinion, however,” said Mr. Stackpole, contentedly, ”that the removers of a reproach are ent.i.tled to some honour, which those who persist in retaining it cannot claim.”
”Yes,” said Fleda, drawing rather a long breath, ”I acknowledge that; but I think that, while some of these same Englishmen have shown themselves so unwilling to have the condition of their own factory slaves ameliorated, they should be very gentle in speaking of wrongs which we have far less ability to rectify.”
”Ah! I like consistency,” said Mr. Stackpole. ”America shouldn't dress up poles with liberty caps, till all who walk under are free to wear them. She cannot boast that the breath of her air and the breath of freedom are one.”
”Can England?” said Fleda, gently ? ”when her own citizens are not free from the horrors of impressment?”
”Pshaw!” said Mr. Stackpole, half in a pet and half laughing; ”why where did you get such a fury against England? you are the first _fair_ antagonist I have met on this side of the water.”
”I wish I was a better one, Sir,” said Fleda, laughing.
”Miss Ringgan has been prejudiced by an acquaintance with one or two unfortunate specimens,” said Mrs. Evelyn.
”Ay!” said Mr. Stackpole, a little bitterly; ”America is the natural birthplace of prejudice ? always was.”
”Displayed, first, in maintaining the rights against the swords of Englishmen; latterly, how, Mr. Stackpole?”
”It isn't necessary to enlighten _you_ on any part of the subject,” said he, a little pointedly.
”Fleda, my dear, you are answered,” said Mrs. Evelyn, apparently with great internal amus.e.m.e.nt.
”Yet you will indulge me so far as to indicate what part of the subject you are upon?” said Fleda, quietly.
”You must grant so much as that to so gentle a requisition, Mr. Stackpole,” said the older lady.
”I venture to a.s.sume that you do not say that on your own account, Mrs. Evelyn?”
”Not at all ? I agree with you, that Americans are prejudiced; but I think it will pa.s.s off, Mr. Stackpole, as they learn to know themselves and other countries better.”
”But how do they deserve such a charge and such a defence? or how have they deserved it?” said Fleda.
”Tell her, Mr. Stackpole,” said Mrs. Evelyn.
”Why,” said Mr. Stackpole, ”in their absurd opposition to all the old and tried forms of things, and rancorous dislike of those who uphold them; and in their pertinacity on every point where they might be set right, and impatience of hearing the truth.”
”Are they singular in that last item?” said Fleda.
”Now,” said Mr. Stackpole, not heeding her, ”there's your treatment of the aborigines of this country ? what do call that, for a _free_ people?”
”A powder magazine, communicating with a great one of your own somewhere else; so, if you are a good subject, Sir, you will not carry a lighted candle into it.”
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