"I understand he is—" Mr. Fyshe was going to say "about to invest a large part of his fortune in American securities," but he thought better of it. Even with the clergy it is well to be careful. So he substituted "is very much interested in studying American conditions." 

 "Does he stay long?" asked Mr. Furlong. 

 Had Mr. Lucullus Fyshe replied quite truthfully, he would have said, "Not if I can get his money out of him quickly," but he merely answered, "That I don't know." 

 "He will find much to interest him," went on the rector in a musing tone. "The position of the Anglican Church in America should afford him an object of much consideration. I understand," he added, feeling his way, "that his Grace is a man of deep piety." 

 "Very deep," said Mr. Fyshe. 

 "And of great philanthropy?" 

 "Very great." 

 "And I presume," said the rector, taking a devout sip of the unfinished soda, "that he is a man of immense wealth?" 

 "I suppose so," answered Mr. Fyshe quite carelessly. "All these fellows are." (Mr. Fyshe generally referred to the British aristocracy as "these fellows.") "Land, you know, feudal estates; sheer robbery, I call it. How the working-class, the proletariat, stand for such tyranny is more than I can see. Mark my words, Furlong, some day they'll rise and the whole thing will come to a sudden end." 

 Mr. Fyshe was here launched upon his favourite topic; but he interrupted himself, just for a moment, to speak to the waiter. 

 "What the devil do you mean," he said, "by serving asparagus half-cold?" 

 "Very sorry, sir," said the waiter, "shall I take it out?" 

 "Take it out? Of course take it out, and see that you don't serve me stuff of that sort again, or I'll report you." 

 "Very sorry, sir," said the waiter. 

 Mr. Fyshe looked at the vanishing waiter with contempt upon his features. "These pampered fellows are getting unbearable." he said. "By Gad, if I had my way I'd fire the whole lot of them: lock 'em out, put 'em on the street. That would teach 'em. Yes, Furlong, you'll live to see it that the whole working-class will one day rise against 

 Prev. P 6/156 next