everybody is, or is in the way to being.''

Jane was surprised to see that her father, instead of being
offended, was amused and pleased. He liked his new doctor so
well that he liked everything he said and did. Jane looked at
Charlton in her friendliest way. Here might be an ally, and a
valuable ally.

``Human nature doesn't change,'' said Hastings in the tone of a
man who is stating that which cannot be disputed.

``The mischief it doesn't,'' said Charlton in prompt and vigorous
dissent. ``When conditions change, human nature has to change,
has to adapt itself. What you mean is that human nature doesn't
change itself. But conditions change it. They've been changing
it very rapidly these last few years. Science--steam,
electricity, a thousand inventions and discoveries, crowding one
upon another--science has brought about entirely new and
unprecedented conditions so rapidly that the changes in human
nature now making and that must be made in the next few years are
resulting in a series of convulsions. You old-fashioned
fellows--and the political parties and the politicians--are in
danger of being stranded. Leaders like Victor Dorn--movements
like our Workingmen's League--they seem new and radical to-day.
By to-morrow they'll be the commonplace thing, found
everywhere--and administering the public affairs.''

Jane was not surprised to see an expression of at least partial
admission upon her father's face. Charlton's words were of the
kind that set the imagination to work, that remind those who hear