the lips of the Princess tighten ever so little. He started to answer quickly, with aplomb if not actual swagger.
“I reckon,” he began—then something changed within him. It was as if he had faced and made a decision, as though some great voice, crying and reverberating within his soul, spoke for him and yet was him. He had started to say, "I reckon there’s as much high-born blood among American Negroes as among any people. We’ve had our kings, presidents, and judges” He started to say this, but he did not finish. He found himself saying quite calmly and with slightly lifted chin:
“I reckon you're right. We American blacks are very common people. My grandfather was a whipped and driven slave; my father was never really free and died in jail. My mother plows and washes for a living. We come out of the depths—the blood and mud of battle. And from just such depths, I take it, came most of the worth-while things in this old world. If they didn’t, God help us.”
The table was very still, save for the very faint clink of china as the servants brought in the creamed and iced fruit.
The Princess turned, and he could feel her dark eyes full upon him.
“I wonder I wonder,” she murmured, almost catching her breath.
The Indian frowned. The Japanese smiled, and the Egyptian whispered to the Arab.
“I believe that is true,” said the Chinese lady thoughtfully, “and if it is, this world is glorious.”
“And if it is not?” asked the Egyptian icily.
“It is perhaps both true and untrue,” the Japanese suggested. “Certainly Mr. Towns has expressed a fine and human hope, although I fear that always blood must tell.”
“No, it mustn’t,” cried Matthew, “unless it is allowed to talk. Its speech is accidental today. There is some weak, thin stuff called blood, which not even a crown can make speak intelligently; and at the same time some of the noblest blood God ever made is dumb with chains and poverty.”
The elder Indian straightened, with blazing eyes.
“Surely,” he said, slowly and calmly, “surely the gentleman does not mean to reflect on royal blood?”
Matthew started, flushed darkly, and glanced quickly at the
