The first to speak was Constance.
"We are getting on very quickly," she said, in her driest and most practical tone, "towards one ideal of Socialism.

Look at the way in which municipalities are beginning to undertake, and sometimes monopolise, work which used to be left to private enterprize.

Before long we shall have local authorities engaged in banking, pawnbroking, coal-supplying, tailoring, estate agency, printing--all these, and other undertakings, are already proposed." May cast a glance of good-natured envy at the speaker.

How she wished she could display such acquaintance with public life.

But the information was stored for future use.
"Why, there you are!" exclaimed the baronet.