Selden glanced at her curiously. He was surprised that she should speak so earnestly.
“According to your idea,” he said, “the best government is the one which gives its people the most to eat for the least return in labour.”
“Yes; you put it very well. That is it exactly. How can one believe anything else?”
Selden turned the idea over in his head.
“The best government undoubtedly,” he agreed, “is the one that gives every man a square deal.”
“Yes.”
“And that is where the old despotisms failed. They exploited the people for their own benefit.”
“It is where every government fails. The people are always exploited for somebody’s benefit.”
“At least they have swept away the despotisms—not one is left standing in the length and breadth of Europe. That is why I think Europe—war-torn, bankrupt, disordered as she is—is still better off to-day than she has ever been, because for the first time in history her people are free.”
“But they are not free,” protested the countess impatiently. “They are still slaves to their stomachs—more than ever, indeed, since food is more difficult to get. It is absurd to call them free. What is freedom worth to a starving man? He prefers food. And he must always have a master.”