There must be some
special cerebral development representing the mental anguish kept
up by poverty.'
'I should say,' put in Amy, 'that it affects every function of
the brain. It isn't a special point of suffering, but a misery
that colours every thought.'
'True. Can I think of a single subject in all the sphere of my
experience without the consciousness that I see it through the
medium of poverty? I have no enjoyment which isn't tainted by
that thought,. and I can suffer no pain which it doesn't
increase. The curse of poverty is to the modern world just what
that of slavery was to the ancient. Rich and destitute stand to
each other as free man and bond. You remember the line of Homer I
have often quoted about the demoralising effect of enslavement;
poverty degrades in the same way.'
'It has had its effect upon me--I know that too well,' said Amy,
with bitter frankness.
Reardon glanced at her, and wished to make some reply, but he
could not say what was in his thoughts.
He worked on at his story. Before he had reached the end of it,
'Margaret Home' was published, and one day arrived a parcel
containing the six copies to which an author is traditionally
entitled.
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