The Man in Possession — page 182: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE MAN IN POSSESSION. 177 veteran, who ought to be pensioned off and yet won't confess his weakness and impotence.” ‘You are quite wrong, Mrs. Lafaye,” said Lady Westmoreland severely. ‘‘ You only speak from that light, cursory view of things which a London season affords. Politics are no caprice with us. Whether men or women we regard them seriously, and with every desire for the welfare of the country.” ‘“If you knew the present head of the government was a fool, and that the country would benefit in every way by the other side coming in, not one of you'd have the pluck or the honesty to say so. You know you can't do any good, but you pretend you do itallthe same. And it’s so screamingly funny,” she added maliciously, ‘‘to think of you great ladies who call yourselves ‘Primrose Dames’ playing the fiddle at East End concerts for working-men, or singing Italian songs out of operas to their Lordships of Gutter and Slum! Take my word for it, your prim- roses arent as strong as the brambles, or as many as the weeds, and you can’t smother one or the other, try as you may |” ‘‘That, of course, is only your opinion,” said Mrs. Mountjoy—another Primrose Dame. ‘‘It will not materially affect our efforts.” ‘‘No, I guess it won't; but I make you a present of it. I’m a bit of a prophet, and I can see a yard or two into the future, which to you is only a map of self-interest. England will follow the example of America before many years are over her head, and make better use of her money than keeping up the mockery of court shows,” 12 COMicloe (Sri C(O)