And Thomas Barker has been promising
lowered rents at Lady-day."
"But who _could_ have told such falsehoods about me?" asked Lilian.
"Some old woman who didn't get the half-crown, no doubt," replied
Mrs. Wade.
"Those poor creatures I went to see have no vote."
"Oh, but handfuls of money, you know! It's the impression made on
the neighbourhood. Seriously, they are driven to desperate
resources; and I believe there _is_ a good deal of intimidation
going on--especially on the part of district-visitors. Mrs.
Alexander told me of several instances. And the wives (of course)
are such wretched cowards! That great big carpenter, East, is under
his wife's thumb, and she has been imploring him not to vote Liberal
for fear of consequences--she sits weeping, and talking about the
workhouse. Contemptible idiot! It would gratify me extremely to see
her really going to the workhouse."
"And pray," asked Denzil, with a laugh, "what would be the result of
giving the franchise to such women?"
"The result _might_ be that, in time to come, there wouldn't be so
many of them."
"In time to come--possibly. In the meanwhile, send their girls to
school to learn a wholesome contempt for their mothers."
"Oh, Denzil!"
"Well, it sounds brutal, but it's very good sense. All progress
involves disagreeable necessities."
Mrs. Wade was looking about the room, smiling, absent.
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