She was pleased that her father asked her
about this matter, and was at the same time afraid to reply, lest
she should be lowered in his estimation. And then, gathering
courage, as though preparing to jump across the table, she said
irresolutely and in a trembling voice:
"That all the people should be happy and contented; that all the
people should be equal, all the people have an equal right to
life, to the bliss of life, all must have freedom, even as they
have air. And equality ineverything!"
At the beginning of her agitated speech her father looked at her
face with anxious curiosity in his eyes, but as she went on
hastily hurling her words at him his eyes assumed an altogether
different expression, and finally he said to her with calm
contempt:
"I knew it before--you are a gilded fool!"
She lowered her head, but immediately raised it and exclaimed
sadly:
"You have said so yourself--freedom."
"You had better hold your tongue!" the old man shouted at her
rudely. "You cannot see even that which is visibly forced outside
of each man.
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