"And I am sure that was very noble," said Florence.
"It was what no nation but the English would ever have done," said Mrs. Evelyn.
"I do not wish to dispute it," said Fleda; "but still it was doing what did not touch the sensitive point of their own well-being."
"We think there is a little national honour concerned in it," said Mr. Stackpole dryly, stroking his chin again.
"So does every right-minded person," said Mrs. Evelyn; "I am sure I do."
"And I am sure so do I," said Fleda; "but I think the honour of a piece of generosity is considerably lessened by the fact that it is done at the expense of another."
"Generosity!" said Mr. Stackpole,--"it was not generosity, it was justice;--there was no generosity about it."
"Then it deserves no honour at all," said Fleda, "if it was merely that--the tardy execution of justice is but the removal of a reproach."
"We Englishmen are of opinion, however," said Mr. Stackpole contentedly, "that the removers of a reproach are entitled to some honour which those who persist in retaining it cannot claim."
"Yes," said Fleda, drawing rather a long breath,--"I acknowledge that; but I think that while some of these same Englishmen have shewn themselves so unwilling to have the condition of their own factory slaves ameliorated, they should be very gentle in speaking of wrongs which we have far less ability to rectify."