62 "HIGH LIFE."
 "Oh yes," said Lady Margaret warmly, without any
affectation of contradicting him. I must not tell you what
I think, because Berry says, if I go about praising him or any
of the others, we shall be set down as the Mutual Admiration
Society; only I may be permitted to mention that he does not
need to go into Parliament for occupation. Our vicar-with
whom, by-the-bye, Berry has some differences-always main-
tains that my eldest brother, what with his clubs, societies,
and night-schools, his allotment schemes and co-operative
experiments, is the hardest-worked man in the parish."
 For a member of the bloated aristocracy," commented
De Vaux, with somewhat grim humour.
 Yes; is it not an odd order for Berry, as well as yourself,
to belong to ?" she asked, laughing merrily; and then she
added seriously-" But it is no laughing matter. Berry says he
does not wonder at that, or indeed at any term of opprobrium,
after the awful gulf which has been permitted to yawn and
deepen between the ranks."
 Lord Beresford will never fill it," said Lord De Vaux
dogmatically, and with a suspicion of irritation. Not above
a tithe of the people for whom he is spending himself will
even understand him-far less be a bit the better for his waste
of life and energy."
 Berry says a man's life would be well spent in helping a
handful of his fellow-creatures, especially his countrymen-
not to say our own people down at Southfolds," said Lady
Margaret serenely.
 Did I say a tithe ? Probably not more than one will
follow your brother's lead."
 Berry says he would not grudge his work if one man,