‘But it might to his wife!’ answered one,
‘With a different result,’ added another;
‘Is then a married woman more compliant than a single?’ queried a third.
‘It all depends upon the sort of woman,’ observed a fourth.
‘The danger is lessened when the lady already runs a nursery,’ remarked his neighbour cynically.
‘Science meets that difficulty,’ interpolated another of the party.
‘A husband’s jealousy is the greatest of all dangers,’ retorted his neighbour.
‘Cease these pleasantries, gentlemen, and discuss the matter seriously,’ exclaimed an elderly minister with dignity, ‘England is to be indeed congratulated on having women of such stamp as the peerless and incorruptible Mercia. Search the world through and we shall be unable to find any to compare with them in physique, or mental attainments. They are indeed, Nature’s queens, and in every way fit to grace a coronet.’
‘Talking of coronets reminds one of crowns: there’s a pretty hubbub going on just now; India expects to win her freedom and is casting about for an Emperor,’ remarked another;
‘Why not give it to Mercia, she’s as good as a man?’ suggested his neighbour.