William was almost morbidly self-depreciatory when in the presence of Ruth. His love so glorified her that by contrast he was commoner than commonest clay.
"I was so sorry to hear you are to be turned out of your shop," Ruth said at length, taking a seat on the other side of the table.
"Ralph told you?" he questioned.
"We stayed up till quite late last night, talking about it," she replied. "Ralph is very indignant."
"I am very indignant myself," he answered; "but what's the good? Those who have the power use it as they like."
"I am sorry it has happened," she said gently; "sorry for all our sakes. Ralph's reverence for the ruling classes was not great before. It is less now."
"You cannot wonder at that," he said quickly.
"No, one cannot wonder. And yet there is a danger in judging the whole by a few. Besides, if we had real power, we might not use it any more wisely or justly. The best of people, after all, are only human."
"That being so," he answered, with a smile, "it does not seem right that any individual, or any class of individuals, should have so much power. Who made these people rulers and dividers over us?"
"Ah, now you are getting beyond me," she said; "but since things are as they are, should we not make the best of them?"