Page:William-morris-and-the-early-days-of-the-socialist-movement.djvu/228

Rh get the upper hand. I rather wonder at your being surprised. My article, following on Nicol's folly, should have told you what was up. I meant it as a 'Farewell.' It was, and was meant to be, directly opposed to anything the Anarchist side would want to say or do. If I had remained in the League after that I must have attacked their position persistently. And why should I? I shouldn't have converted them.

You understand, I don't want to influence your action up there: none of us do. Your position is different from ours; because you are so far away that you cannot take any part in the management; whereas, in my judgment, we must as long as we profess to belong.

We have no wish to proselytise amongst the League branches. Anyone can join us who pleases, League or no League; but we don't ask them. And I have no doubt that we shall be just as good friends with you whatever you do.

Personally, I must tell you that I feel twice the man since I have spoken out. I dread a quarrel above all things, and I have had this one on my mind for a year or more. But I am glad it is over at last; for in good truth I would almost as soon join a White Rose Society as an Anarchist one; such nonsense as I deem the latter.

You will have our manifesto soon; and I know you will agree with it, as it will disclaim both Parliamentarianism and Anarchism.

To change the subject: I am going to send you my new translation-book to-morrow. 'News from Nowhere' is already printed in America, and I am going to print it here for a shilling: the Yank, I fancy, is a dollar.

Well, goodbye, and don't be downcast, because we have been driven to admit plain facts. It has been the curse of our movement that we would lie to ourselves about our progress and victories and the like. Aha! What do you think of the awakened conscience of Mrs. Grundy re Mr. Parnell? Ain't it delicious?—as Miss Mowcher says.