“How would you deal with them, then?”
“Compensate them, provide for them until they could obtain a livelihood in other trades. But your Ministers would never hear of that. If a railway is being made for the benefit of the community, and it is necessary to take a rich man’s land, the State sees that he shall be compensated up to the hilt. But when a new machine is introduced, equally for the benefit of the community, and it takes away the livelihood of the poor man, the State never dreams of compensating him. That would be robbery, plunder, blasphemy, all that is wicked and intolerable.”
Maximilian listened with a heavy heart to the Socialist’s words. How much there was to redress, and how ill he was fitted to redress it!
They gradually came to the end of the market, and turned into a street leading back to their lodging. As they came round the corner they encountered a young woman, scarcely more than a girl she seemed, who stepped up to them smiling. The traces of great beauty were still visible in her painted face, and something in the carriage of her head brought up the image of Dorothea for an instant before Maximilian’s eye, and he stopped short.
Johann shook his head and walked on, as the girl began to address them after the manner of her class. She turned to Maximilian, who stood hesitating, and laid her hand familiarly upon his arm.
He started, and shook her off with a gesture of loathing. The next moment his manner changed, and he addressed her in compassionate tones.
“I will give you some money,” he said; “and I should like to ask you a few questions.” And he beckoned to Johann, who had come to a halt a few paces in front and turned round to wait for his companion.
The girl stared in wonder, as she held out her hand. When she perceived that it was being filled with gold, she burst into a profusion of thanks.
“Never mind thanking me,” said the King. “I wish you to understand that I am your friend, and if it is in my power to help you, I shall be glad to do so.”
The girl shook her head.