MR MARCH. [Lighting his pipe] Anywhere.

He slews the armchair towards the fire.

MARY. I'll get your things, then.

She goes out.

JOHNNY. [Still on the fender] What do you say, Dad? Is civilisation
built on chivalry or on self-interest?

MR MARCH. The question is considerable, Johnny. I should say it was
built on contract, and jerry-built at that.

JOHNNY. Yes; but why do we keep contracts when we can break them with
advantage and impunity?

MR MARCH. But do we keep them?

JOHNNY. Well--say we do; otherwise you'll admit there isn't such a thing
as civilisation at all. But why do we keep them? For instance, why
don't we make Mary and Mother work for us like Kafir women? We could
lick them into it. Why did we give women the vote? Why free slaves;
why anything decent for the little and weak?

MR MARCH. Well, you might say it was convenient for people living in
communities.

JOHNNY. I don't think it's convenient at all. I should like to make