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CHAPTER IV.

A TRIANGULAR DUEL.

"For why? Because the good old rule
Sufficeth them, the simple plan,
That they should take who have the power,
And they should keep who can."—Wordsworth.

To knit in loving knowledge rich and poor."
The Saint's Tragedy.

"A huge aggregate of little systems, each of which again is a small anarchy, the members of which do not work together, but scramble against each other."—Thos. Carlyle.
"The simplest and clearest definition of economy, whether public or private, means the wise management of labour; and it means this mainly in three senses: first, in applying your labour rationally; secondly, preserving its produce carefully; lastly, in distributing it's, produce seasonably."—Ruskin.

"Excuse me, old fellow, but with all your socialistic tendencies you manage to make yourself deuced comfortable. This is the jolliest den of a smoking-room I know."

The speaker was a bright, plump little man, satisfied, to judge by the smile that always lurked about his mouth, with himself and his condition; one who, in a good-natured sort of way, took life easy, and supposed that all others might do the same if they would. Why should he bother? He possessed ample means to live upon; not enough to cause him anxiety. He was influenced by no desire to add to his belongings or to enlarge his life.