examination was not to his liking.

Angela went on

"Yes, father; is that all you know about the Irish?"

"Isn't it enough?" His voice rose shrilly. It was the first time for
years anyone had dared use those two hated words "Ireland" and
"Irish" at his table. Angela must be checked and at once.

Before he could begin to check her, however, Angela answered his
question:

"It wouldn't be enough for me if I had the responsibilities and
duties of a landlord. To be the owner of an estate should be to act
as the people's friend, their father, their adviser in times of
plenty and their comrade in times of sorrow."

"Indeed? And pray where did you learn all that, Miss?" asked the
astonished parent.

Without noticing the interruption or the question, Angela went on:

"Why deny a country its own government when England is practically
governed by its countrymen? Is there any position of prominence
today in England that isn't filled by Irishmen? Think. Our
Commander-in-Chief is Irish: our Lord High Admiral is Irish: there
are the defences of the English in the hands of two Irishmen and yet
you call them thieving and rascally scoundrels."