Pagina 19 de 490

"Harry!" exclaimed Hallward, frowning.

"My dear fellow, I am not quite serious. But I can't help

detesting my relations. I suppose it comes from the fact that

none of us can stand other people having the same faults as

ourselves. I quite sympathize with the rage of the English

democracy against what they call the vices of the upper orders.

The masses feel that drunkenness, stupidity, and immorality

should be their own special property, and that if any one of us

makes an ass of himself, he is poaching on their preserves. When

poor Southwark got into the divorce court, their indignation was

quite magnificent. And yet I don't suppose that ten per cent of

the proletariat live correctly."

"I don't agree with a single word that you have said, and, what

is more, Harry, I feel sure you don't either."