“By ‘national disgrace,’ ” said Shutter, “I mean that the failure of the authorities to observe the will of those who appoint and pay them to do their will is a state of affairs which would not be tolerated in any other country in the world.”
“I agree,” said his host heartily. “It’s wicked.”
“Monstrous,” said Mrs. Fairie. “What about some Bridge?”
“One minute,” said Lady Elizabeth. “What’s monstrous?”
“This drunkenness stunt,” said Fairie. “Let’s——”
“No, no, no,” cried Shutter. “I thought you didn’t quite follow me. My point is that, outrageous as is the offence, the failure of those whose signal duty it is to eradicate it is still more infamous.”
“That’s the word I was trying to think of,” said Fairie. “ ‘Infamous.’ So it is. What about roping in the others an’ havin’ a quiet game of——”
“As I said in my letter to-day,” said Sir Hilton, frowning, “the community no longer asks for protection—it demands the abolition of these pests: and that, by the infliction in every case, without fear or favour, of a penalty—imprisonment, of course—so harsh as, once for all, to frighten would-be offenders back into the path of decency.”
“You are fierce,” said Elizabeth. “Why——”
“Yes, isn’t he?” cried Mrs. Fairie. “Never mind. Let’s——”