generalisation. They have long ceased to regard it as an honour or
an advantage for their girls to go into the house of their social
superiors; it seems to them a kind of slavery; what they aim at is a
more independent form of wage-earning, and that's why they go off to
the great towns, where there are factories and public-houses,
work-rooms and shops. To establish here the training institution you
speak of would have done many sorts of good, but not, I think, that
particular good, of supreme importance, which results from Lady
Ogram's activity. In the rustics' eyes, it would be merely a new
device for filling up the ranks of cooks and housemaids, to the sole
advantage of an upper class. Of course that view is altogether
wrong, but it would be held. The paper-mill, being quite a novel
enterprise, excites new thoughts. It offers the independence these
people desire, and yet it exacts an obvious discipline. It
establishes a social group corresponding exactly to the ideal
organism which evolution will some day produce: on the one hand
ordinary human beings understanding their obligations and receiving
their due; on the other, a superior mind, reciprocally fulfilling
its duties, and reaping the nobler advantage which consists in a
sense of worthy achievement."

"Very striking indeed!" fell from Mr. Gallantry.

"You seem to have made out a fair case, Mr. Lashmar," said his wife,
with a good-natured laugh. "I'm not sure that I couldn't debate the
point still, but at present I'll be satisfied with your approval of
my scheme."

Lady Ogram, sitting more upright against the back of her chair than
before her attack of breathlessness, had gazed unwaveringly at the