Hattie."

Miss Hattie, be frank; confess that that title isn't accorded by

everybody to everybody. The rich American doesn't call her cook a lady--

isn't that so?"

"Yes, it's so. What of it?"

He was surprised and a little disappointed, to see that his admirable

shot had produced no perceptible effect.

What of it?" he said. "Why this: equality is not conceded here, after

all, and the Americans are no better off than the English. In fact

there's no difference."

Now what an idea. There's nothing in a title except what is put into

it--you've said that yourself. Suppose the title is 'clean,' instead of

lady.' You get that?"

"I believe so. Instead of speaking of a woman as a lady, you substitute

clean and say she's a clean person."

That's it. In England the swell folks don't speak of the working people

as gentlemen and ladies?"

Oh, no."

114

The American Claimant