“I expect I shall,” replied Medora, with a fainting soul.
“There’s noble women giving up their lives to it, and I hope you’ll be one of them some day.”
She began to experience the discomfort of the mountain climber, who ascends into more rarefied air than he is accustomed to breathe. It was not until she had enjoyed a good lunch and a bottle of lemonade that Medora felt lighter-hearted.
They went to no more music halls, but Jordan took her to a play of Shakespeare and a concert. They also visited the Mint, the Tower of London and the Zoological Gardens. At the last she was interested and happy. He improved every occasion. On one afternoon they went to a meeting of the Labour Party and heard great lights discuss the Internationale. Kellock flamed with enthusiasm afterwards and talked ceaselessly till bed time. She had never seen him so excited. She retired with a headache, bewildered and bored to tears.
Of personal matters the only interest centred in a communication from Mr. Trenchard. As for Dingle, he did not answer Jordan’s letter. Nor did he come to see Jordan, as Medora half hoped he might. She trusted that some emotional scenes were to occur in the future; but if drama lay in store for her, it would doubtless be at Dene, not in London.
She wrote to her mother justifying her conduct; but Lydia did not reply.
“I’ve lost mother,” said Medora, after three days’ silence. “She’s not going to answer that nice letter I showed you. In fact I’ve lost everybody but you. And I’d lose them all a hundred times over for you, Jordan.”
“We must be patient,” he said. “We know we’re right, and those that know they’re right can afford to be patient. The rest will be brought to see it in process of time. They must be educated to the truth. Everything depends on education, Medora. It works through everything—in private affairs and public affairs alike. Ignorance makes all the trouble in the world; and once the spread of education brings the light, then we get a move on and see our way clear. It is for you and me to show the people that we are sure of ourselves and set them the example of how to behave.”
“We’ll live it down,” said Medora.
“No; we’ve got nothing to live down,” he declared.