XVI: CRITICISM AND FAREWELL
XVI.
CRITICISM AND FAREWELL
DOLL SALESMAN TALKS ON PROHIBITION—PERILS OF COMMERCIALISM AND MATERIALISM IN AMERICA—PLEA FOR LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP
ON April 3—the day before I sailed for England—I went out early to buy toys to entertain my grand-baby on our voyage in the Mauretania; and had an interesting talk with one of the many civil salesmen that I have met all over the United States in their beautiful shops. He said he regretted that he would not be able to attend my last lecture although he had been to the other three in New York, because he feared the daughter of a friend of his was dying. She was a little girl living in a suburb who had fainted some weeks before. Her mother had given her the only stimulant they had in the house; since when she had suffered from blood-poisoning and was lying in a critical condition.
"I do hope, madam, you will deal to-night with the abominable law of Prohibition. It has encouraged this country to manufacture liquors of the most dangerous kind," he said.
I told him I heard the same complaint wherever I had been and, while sympathising deeply with him, feared I could do no more, as I had dealt freely and at length with the subject.
I was advertised by the following card to make my last speech.
FAREWELL LECTURE
under the auspices of
THE SOCIETY OF FRIENDS OF
ROUMANIA
Founded under the August Patronage of
Her Majesty Queen Marie of Roumania
MARGOT ASQUITH
will close her brilliant and successful tour by
delivering a lecture entitled
IMPRESSIONS OF THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA
I put on my best dress and, armed with a bouquet of rare orchids given to me by my chairman, made my final public appearance in this country.