The Keepers of the People

459They were scarcely seated when she cried, “I have been amazed and horrified to-day! I have discovered that you have dumb servants, Ralph, made dumb by artificial means!”

460Ralph Falcon looked at her patiently.

461“It is disgraceful! Abominable!” she cried. “To think that Englishmen should practise barbarities that even Orientals have abandoned!”

462“It is expedient,” said Ralph Falcon; and he began to eat his soup.

463“It is intolerable! Unless you give me your solemn assurance that such a thing shall never be permitted again, I shall inform Mr. Kantra Prasad; and the whole of the Indian Press shall ring with your inhumanity!”

464Ralph Falcon looked at her flushed, indignant face, and said, “What is the Indian Press?”

465“You defy me? Very well; we shall see! You doubtless fancy that I shall be restrained by family considerations—”

466“He’s not such a fool as to fancy you guilty of anything so sensible, Amelia,” Lord Lisdor broke in angrily. “But you know nothing of the — what do you call them? — the conditions of life out there.”

467“I cannot understand, George, how you dare interfere to prevent the suppression of such inhuman abominations!” cried Lady Hammersmith with less fire.

468“I can,” said Lord Lisdor.

469“Are there many mutes on your father’s estate, Mr. Falcon?” said Miss Freshington quickly.

470“Hundreds,” said Ralph Falcon.

471“This is worse and worse! horror on horror!” cried Lady Hammersmith. “Hundreds of fellow-creatures degraded to the condition of brute beasts that these Englishmen may pursue their evil courses, and glut their unscrupulous passions, unrestrained by fear of information! Now I insist that these two poor unfortunate men—”

472“Rubbish! They’re most cheerful Johnnies,” said Lord Lisdor.

473“Are sent to a deaf and dumb institution, and taught the rudiments of the Christian faith!”

474“They have a faith,” said Ralph Falcon.

475“They worship you, I suppose?” said Lady Hammersmith.

476“Not yet,” said Ralph Falcon.

477“This is terrible! terrible!” said Lady Hammersmith.

478“Have you read the article in the Nineteenth Century on the Revolution in Morality, Mr. Falcon?” said Miss Freshington in an effort to change the subject.

479“No; I do not care about morals,” said Ralph Falcon.

480Lady Hammersmith groaned; Lord Lisdor grinned.

481“European morals do not concern me,” said Ralph Falcon.

482“And you admit it?” said Lady Hammersmith in a breathless tone.

483“Is Alrasch all right, Althea?” said Lord Lisdor loudly.