"
"But you misunderstand me, Vance. Listen." Her hand went out to his,
and he was content to listen. "I have always upheld that what is is
well. I grant the wisdom of the prevailing social judgment in this
matter. Though I deplore it, I grant it; for the human is so made.
But I grant it socially only. I, as an individual, choose to regard
such things differently. And as between individuals so minded, why
should it not be so regarded? Don't you see? Now I find you guilty.
As between you and me, yesterday, on the river, you did not so regard
it. You behaved as narrow-mindedly as would have the society you
represent."
"Then you would preach two doctrines?" he retaliated. "One for the
elect and one for the herd? You would be a democrat in theory and an
aristocrat in practice? In fact, the whole stand you are making is
nothing more or less than Jesuitical."
"I suppose with the next breath you will be contending that all men are
born free and equal, with a bundle of natural rights thrown in? You
are going to have Del Bishop work for you; by what equal free-born
right will he work for you, or you suffer him to work?"
"No," he denied. "I should have to modify somewhat the questions of
equality and rights."
"And if you modify, you are lost!" she exulted. "For you can only
modify in the direction of my position, which is neither so Jesuitical
nor so harsh as you have defined it.
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