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Updated: July 26, 2025
He was an unaffectedly good young man, and if people sometimes smiled quietly at him, they respected him all the same. Soame Rivers had said of him that Providence had invented him to be the chief living argument in favour of the principle of hereditary legislation. Sir Lionel Rainey and Lord Courtreeve did not get on at all.
'It was not merely a point, but a whole cresset of points a cluster of points, Ericson said, 'on every one of which I wished to have a tip of light. Is English social life to be judged of by the conversation and the canons of opinion which we find received in London society? 'Certainly not, Sir Rupert explained. 'Heaven forbid! Lord Courtreeve added fervently.
Therefore, the Dictator did not take to him any more than Lord Courtreeve did; and Sir Rupert began to think that his luncheon party was not well mixed. Soame Rivers saw it too, and was determined to get the company out of Siam. 'Do you find London society much changed since you were here last, Sir Lionel? he asked.
'I was not speaking of that, Lord Courtreeve said, with a slight flush on his mild face.
He has been out of England for a great many years, and he finds some fault with our ways or, at least, he asks for some explanation about them. 'Yes, quite so. I am afraid I have forgotten the point on which Mr. Ericson desired to get information. And Rivers smiled a bland smile without looking at Ericson. 'May I trouble you, Lord Courtreeve, for the cigarettes?
'I never said, Soame Rivers replied deliberately, 'that the heart of the English people was not just as sound and true now as ever it was I dare say it is just about the same même jeu, don't you know? and he took a languid puff at his cigarette. 'Am I to be glad or sorry of your answer? Lord Courtreeve asked, with a stare. 'How can I tell? It depends on what you want me to say.
The other guests were Lord Courtreeve and Sir Lionel Rainey, the famous Englishman, who had settled himself down at the Court of the King of Siam, and taken in hand the railway and general engineering and military and financial arrangements of that monarch; and, having been somewhat hurt in an expedition against the Black Flags, was now at home, partly for rest and recovery, and partly in order to have an opportunity of enlightening his Majesty of Siam, who had a very inquiring mind, on the immediate condition of politics and house-building in England.
'If that is London society, that certainly is not English social life, Lord Courtreeve declared emphatically, patting the table with his hand. 'It isn't even London social life. Come down to the East End, sir 'Oh, indeed, by Jove! I shall do nothing of the kind! Rivers replied, as with a shudder. 'I think, of all the humbugs of London society, slumming is about the worst.
'There is much more done for the poor than ever there was before, Lord Courtreeve pleaded. 'Because so many of the poor have got votes, Rivers observed. 'Yes, Sir Lionel struck in with a laugh, 'and you fellows all want to get into the House of Commons or the County Council, or some such place. By Jove! in my time a gentleman would not want to become a County Councillor.
'I think the thing is detestable, anyhow, Lord Courtreeve interposed, 'and I am quite sure it does not represent the tone of English society. 'So am I, Sir Rupert added. 'But you must admit that it is the tone which does prevail, the Dictator said pressingly, for he wanted very much to study this question down to its roots.
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