Anna looked at Mary in unbelief.
“Nobody is more indignant at slavery than you are, Anna.”
Anna’s colour rose at the mention of slavery.
“But that has nothing to do with parliamentary reform, and those tiresome subjects, papa.”
“More than you are aware of, my dear; or than I can explain at present: but however closely connected with the interests of religion and humanity, it is still a political subject, as you will learn to-morrow; for the object of the meeting I am to take you to, is to petition for the abolition of colonial slavery. Perhaps, when there, you may wish that you knew something of the history and present state of the question, which would enable you to enter into much which will now be lost upon you.”
“Will you, can you tell us about it now?” said both the girls, eagerly.
Mr. Byerley began from the point to which he knew their study of history had led them, and gave them a clear account of the struggles, successes, and reverses, which the great slavery question had passed through up to the present day. For the first time, Anna felt an interest about philanthropists and statesmen, of whose names she had long been weary, while she knew nothing of them beyond their names. She was unwilling to go to bed when ten o’clock struck.
“Why, I thought bed had been better than politics, at any time,” said her father.
“It depends upon what the politics are,” said Anna, laughing: “I should have been asleep over the corn laws an hour ago.”
“We will try some night,” said her father.