Page:The cry for justice - an anthology of the literature of social protest. - (IA cryforjusticea00sinc).pdf/231

 Peasantry

(From "Death and the Child")

(American novelist and poet, 1870-1900)

These stupid peasants, who, throughout the world, hold potentates on their thrones, make statesmen illustrious, provide generals with lasting victories, all with ignorance, indifference, or half-witted hatred, moving the world with the strength of their arms, and getting their heads knocked together, in the name of God, the king, or the stock exchange—immortal, dreaming, hopeless asses, who surrender their reason to the care of a shining puppet, and persuade some toy to carry their lives in his purse.

An Italian Restaurant

(From "A Bed of Roses")

(Contemporary English novelist)

They sat at a marble topped table, flooded with light by incandescent gas. In the glare the waiters seemed blacker, smaller and more stunted than by the light of day. Their faces were pallid, with a touch of green: their hair and moustaches were almost blue black. Their energy was that of automata. Victoria looked at them, melting with pity.

"There's a life for you," said Farwell, interpreting her look. "Sixteen hours' work a day in an atmosphere