“Certainly,” said Sir John. “The same idea had just occurred to me.” He struck the bell repeatedly, until Thomas appeared on the verandah. A sign gave the order, and fresh drinks were brought out.
“Now for my last point,” said Sir John. “England has not treated me well, and it would probably treat me worse if it could get me, but I can never forget that I am an Englishman. We white men here”—his voice vibrated—“are the representatives of the conquering races.”
Dr Soames Pryce concealed a smile.
“We have a certain amount of prestige among the natives, and we cannot give away prestige and keep it. Our action in electing Mr Smith would be read by the natives as a concession made from fear. He would be exalted, and we should be debased. A rule of the club prohibits the introduction of any native as a guest; I have not the least doubt that the election of a native would also have been prohibited, had it ever been supposed that such an event was possible. Let us treat Mr Smith with kindness and civility. He likes to exercise hospitality, and I sometimes look in at his place and take a drink with him. But we must not elect him as an equal. If you two gentlemen are divided in your opinions my casting vote goes against Mr Smith.”
Sir John leaned back in his chair, removed his hat and mopped his bald head with his handkerchief. He was convinced that the election of Smith would be disastrous, and he had done his best to prevent it. Bassett, he knew, would support Smith, but Sir John counted on opposition from the doctor.
“Well, now, Mr Bassett,” said Sir John.
But Mr Bassett suddenly adopted a conciliatory and even flattering attitude towards Dr Soames Pryce.
“Excuse me,” he said. “Better take things in their order of importance. Dr Pryce—most popular and representative—better hear him first.”
“My mind’s still open,” said Dr Pryce. “Sir John’s been talking rather as if the Exiles’ Club were the Athenæum and King Smith were a doubtful archdeacon. We aren’t the Athenæum. We represent the dead-beat section of the conquering races. As we have referred to the past I may mention that we comprise men who have had to skip and can’t go back.”
“A little too strongly put,” said Sir John.