The Fraud

by Zadie Smith

‘Why do you think it within your power?’ ‘I beg your pardon?’ ‘Where does it come from? This power? To bestow freedom. Every Englishman I meet seems to think he has it.’ Mrs Touchet was astonished. ‘But I am quite lacking in that quantity, Henry. I have no power. I also beg you to remember I am a Scot – and a woman! However: I am a Briton, as you are yourself. The power invested in Parliament surely concerns us both . . .’ ‘Parliament hands down the laws that govern us, yes. It cannot bestow freedom itself.’ Mrs Touchet was confused: ‘All I intended to say was that I feel confident that the arguments I heard today, on the Downs, although at the moment only concerned with the enfranchisement of working men, will surely, in time—’ ‘Time!’ The noun itself appeared to disgust him. ‘Why should I wait for what is mine by sacred right? Who can give to me what was never theirs to possess?’ ‘I really can’t think what you mean.’ ‘Mrs Touchet, my freedom is as fully my inheritance as it is any man’s. It has no time, I need not wait for it, it was mine from the moment of my birth. Does it surprise you to hear me say so?’ ‘Well, for one thing you speak as if my freedom is perfect.’ ‘I know it is not. And where freedom is concerned, Mrs Touchet, I would advise you not to wait for others to present a false gift of it to you. You will be waiting a long time. Better to “take up arms against a sea of troubles, and by opposing, end them”.