“Good gracious, no!” he protested. “Only to help in the entertainment.”
“Don’t ask her,” interrupted Philippa. “She’s a Radical.”
“Of course,” said Claudia, calmly; “and a Socialist. I don’t see how one can be anything else—that is to say, any one who takes the least interest in his fellow-creatures.”
She was a little disappointed at the effect upon her listeners. Harry, it is true, became rather redder, and Emily uttered a protesting “Oh!” but Philippa and Anne showed no signs of having received a shock.
They were smiling. It was Harry who hastened to say—
“Oh, you’ll be converted. You’ve come to the right house.”
“I don’t think I ever converted any one in my life except old Pentecost, who you all vow is half-witted,” said Philippa, shaking her head. “In these days no one is converted. He or she grows up with an idea, and takes in the newspaper which supports it. But I am rather glad about Claudia, and I think she shall make a speech after all.”
“Just as you like,” said Claudia, easily.
“Do you speak yourself?”
“Oh no; I have never been young enough.”