“I suppose,” she said, “it is good for that sort of people to be put in mind of those who have been chiefly responsible for making England what she is.”
I had considerable trouble to forbear smiling as I recalled the career of some of the Gascoynes.
“That sort of people had something to do with the making of England. It was not the aristocracy who used the bow and arrow at Crecy.”
We both turned with some surprise to young Gascoyne. It was a deeper remark than he usually gave vent to.
“The people are nothing without their natural leaders,” Miss Gascoyne replied.
“You think the aristocracy are the natural leaders of the people?”
“Surely.”
“It seems to me,” I answered, for I saw that it did not flatter her to agree too readily, “that the people got very little done for them till they chose leaders of their own.”
“Perhaps I ought to have said that the aristocracy are the natural leaders of the nation, and not of the people. There is a difference, is there not?”
I appreciated the concession in civility implied in the appeal. I was evidently gaining ground.