“They are, indeed, monuments to the dead, but not raised in their honor as you suppose. Thousands of the poor have worked, suffered and died, that a few men might reap rich harvests of gold, and it is that gold which has built these magnificent buildings. For the thousandth part of the money that it takes to build one of these structures, hundreds of men have slaved out horrible existences, and have died without one gleam of gladness ever having come into their lives.”
“But why does your ruler permit this? Why are not all alike, happy and equal as in my land?”
“Ah, Ahleka, this is civilization. It would never do for every one to be happy in this enlightened country. Equality is only to be found in savage life. Such a thing as universal contentment could not be allowed here. To keep the thousands from making any attempt at equality, it requires the foot of prosperity to be kept firmly and constantly on the neck of adversity.”
“But, Mabel, I thought that your country was different from other countries. I thought that here, all men were free and equal, that one man was as much respected as another, if he were honest and industrious. That is what my father used to tell me. He has many times told me that your country was the haven of refuge for the poor but honest men of all other lands. Is this not true?”
“No, not in practice. It is the theory which we hold, but, alas! we do not put into practice. It is the man who has heaped up gold that is honored. Wealth, not worth, is the standard by which men are measured now-a-days.”
As Mabel finished this remark the carriage stopped in front of a substantial looking dwelling. Mabel sprang lightly out crying, “Come, Ahleka, we are home.”
The bell sounded merrily, as she gave it a quick ring. It was answered by her aunt, Mrs. Maynard, who, upon opening the door, regarded the pair standing in front of her with a look of bewilderment for a moment, then exclaimed, “Good heavens! Mabel, is it possible that you have come back? But what a fright you do look in those clothes. Where in the world did you get them? You look as if you had just come out of the ark. And what is this——”
Before she could say another word, Mabel interrupted her with: “This is Ahleka, the king of the island of Kaahlanai Aunt Kate, it is due to the kindness of himself and his people that I am able once more to see you; for it is they who have cared for my every want since we were shipwrecked. But where is my father? Why don’t you tell him that I am at home?”
As they had been talking, they had entered the parlor, and Mrs. Maynard had seated herself as if there was nothing further to do, than to hear all about Mabel’s adventures.
“Poor girl,” exclaimed Mrs. Maynard, “how thoughtless I am. I forgot that of course you could not hear anything that had happened here at home, when all this time we have not known where to send any letters to you. Poor child, how lonesome you must have felt. How could you stand it?”