"Truly I claim none!" he said; "I was born a slave."
"A slave!"
The words were repeated in tones of astonishment round the room.
"Why, yes, a slave!" repeated Leroy quietly. "You have heard of black
slaves,--have you not heard of white ones too? There are countries
still, where men purchase other men of their own blood and colour;--
tyrannous governments, which force such men to work for them, chained
to one particular place till they die. I am one of those,--though
escaped for the present. You can ask me more of my country if you will;
but a slave has no country save that of his master. If you care at all
for my services, you will spare me further examination on this
subject!"
Zegota looked enquiringly at Thord.
"We will pass that question," said the latter, in a low tone.
Zegota resumed--
"You, Axel Regor--are you a slave too?"
Axel Regor smiled languidly.
"No! I am what is called a free-born subject of the realm. I do what I
like, though not always how I like, or when I like!"
"And you, Max Graub?"
"German!" said that individual firmly; "German to the backbone--
Socialist to the soul!--and an enemy of all ruling sovereigns,--
particularly the one that rules _me_!"
Thord smiled darkly.
"If you feel inclined to jest, Max Graub, I must warn you that jesting
is not suited to the immediate moment.
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