Page:Kangaroo, 1923.pdf/74

 "What do you think of this Irish business?" asked William James.

"I? I really don't think much at all. I don't feel Ireland is my job, personally. If I had to say, offhand, what I'd do myself, why, if I could I'd just leave the Irish to themselves, as they want, and let them wipe each other out or kiss and make friends as they please. They bore me rather."

"And what about the Empire?"

"That again isn't my job. I'm only one man, and I know it. But personally, I'd say to India and Australia and all of them the same—if you want to stay in the Empire, stay; if you want to go out, go."

"And suppose they went out?"

"That's their affair."

"Supposing Australia said she was coming out of the Empire and governing herself, and only keeping a sort of entente with Britain. What do you think she'd make of it?"

"By the looks of things, I think she'd make a howling mess of it. Yet it might do her good if she were thrown entirely on her own resources. You've got to have something to keep you steady. England has really kept the world steady so far—as steady as it's been. That's my opinion. Now she's not keeping it very steady, and the world's sick of being bossed, anyhow. Seems to me you may as well sink or swim on your own resources."

"Perhaps we're too likely to find ourselves sinking."

"Then you'll come to your senses, after you've sunk for the third time."

"What, about England? Cling to England again, you mean?"

"No, I don't. I mean you can't put the brotherhood of man on a wage basis."

"That's what a good many people say here," put in Jack.

"You don't trust socialism then?" said Jaz, in a quiet voice.

"What sort of socialism? Trades unionism? Soviet?"

"Yes, any."

"I really don't care about politics. Politics is no more than your country's housekeeping. If I had to swallow my