Why
are you interested?"
"Only as in any subject that interests a few million people. I haven't the
least intention of being converted, but I don't want to be an ignoramus.
Aileen and Sibyl and I did start Marx's _Das Kapital_--in German! We nearly
died of it. But I felt sure that this man, Kirkpatrick, had studied his
subject, if only because his language changed so completely when he talked
about it. It was as if he were quoting, but intelligently. Of course the
poor man had little or no education to begin with. Somehow he struck me as
a pathetic figure. Perhaps when every one is educated--and there must be
many thousands of naturally intelligent men in the working class whose
brains if trained would be mighty useful in Washington--well, all having
had equal opportunities they would surely arrive at some way to improve
conditions without struggling for anything so hopeless as socialism. I
know enough to be sure that it is hopeless, because it antagonizes human
nature."
"Rather. The trend under all the talk is more and more toward
individualism, not self-effacing communism. As for myself I like the idea
of the fight--for public recognition, I mean; and I don't think I'd be
happy at all if things were made too smooth for me; if, for instance, in
a socialized state it were decided that I could devote all my time to
writing, and that the state would take care of me, publish my work, and
distribute it exactly where it was sure to be appreciated.
Pages:
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191