The cause of the working classes seems
so hopeless just because they're too far away to catch the ears of
those who oppress them.'
'I do not oppress them, Mr. Mutimer.'
Adela spoke with a touch of impatience. She wished to bring this
conversation to an end, and the man would give her no opportunity of
doing so. She was not in reality paying attention to his arguments,
as was evident in her echo of his last words.
'Not willingly, but none the less you do so,' he rejoined. 'Everyone
who lives at ease and without a thought of changing the present
state of society is tyrannising over the people. Every article of
clothing you put on means a life worn out somewhere in a factory.
What would your existence be without the toil of those men and women
who live and die in want of every comfort which seems as natural to
you as the air you breathe? Don't you feel that you owe them
something? It's a debt that can very easily be forgotten, I know
that, and just because the creditors are too weak to claim it. Think
of it in that way, and I'm quite sure you won't let it slip from
your mind again.'
Alfred came towards them, announcing that tea was ready, and Adela
gladly moved away.
'You won't make any impression there,' said Alfred with a shrug of
good-natured contempt. 'Argument isn't understood by women.
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