Page:The Works of H G Wells Volume 8.djvu/336

 and happy flukes Our multitudes of poverty increase, and this crew of rulers makes no provision, foresees nothing, anticipates nothing"

He paused and made a step, and stood over Kipps in a white heat of anger. Kipps nodded in a noncommittal manner and looked hard and rather gloomily at his host's slipper as he talked.

"It isn't as though they had something to show for the waste they make of us, Kipps. They haven't. They are ugly and cowardly and mean. Look at their women! Painted, dyed and drugged, hiding their ugly shapes under a load of dress! There isn't a woman in the swim of society at the present time, who wouldn't sell herself, body and soul, who wouldn't lick the boots of a Jew or marry a nigger, rather than live decently on a hundred a year! On what would be wealth for you and me! They know it. They know we know it No one believes in them. No one believes in nobility any more. Nobody believes in kingship any more. Nobody believes there is justice in the law But people have habits, people go on in the old grooves, as long as there's work, as long as there's weekly money It won't last, Kipps."

He coughed and paused. "Wait for the lean years," he cried. "Wait for the lean years." And suddenly he fell into a struggle with his cough and spat a gout of blood. "It's nothing," he said to Kipps' note of startled horror.

He went on talking, and the protests of his cough interlaced with his words, and Sid beamed in an ecstasy of painful admiration.