“But, doctor!” protested Samuel, “I don't think you understand. This man wants to lead a decent life, and he can't because there's no way for him to earn a living.”
“I understand all that Samuel.”
“But, doctor, what's the use of trying to reform men if they're chained in that way?”
There was a pause.
“I'm afraid it's hopeless to explain to you,” said the clergyman. “But you'll have to make up your mind to it, Samuel—there are a great many men in the world who want jobs, and it seems to be unfortunately true that there are fewer jobs than men.”
“Yes,” said the other, “but that's what Professor Stewart taught men. And you said it was wicked of him.”
“Um—” said the doctor, taken aback.
“Don't you see?” went on Samuel eagerly. “It puts you right back with Herbert Spencer! If there are more men than there are jobs, then the men have to fight for them. And so you have the struggle for existence, and the survival of the greedy and the selfish. If Finnegan wouldn't be a barkeeper, then he and his family would starve, and somebody else would survive who was willing to be that bad.”
The boy waited. “Don't you see that, Dr. Vince?” he persisted.
“Yes, I see that,” said the doctor.