"In due course—in due course. The judge shall pass committee in his proper turn," said Mr. Churchward. "Now, Spry, read as quickly as you can, but nothing's to be missed."
"How long is the report?" asked Henry Norseman.
"Twenty-four pages of foolscap and a half," answered the secretary. "I've written it all out twice, and it filled my spare time for three weeks doing it."
"Let's take the thing as read!" suggested Mr. Taverner.
But Nathaniel objected indignantly.
"Not at all!" he said. "I won't have that. I appeal to the chair—three weeks' work——"
"Don't want to have any words with you, postmaster; but all the same, without feeling, as a member of this committee, I propose we take the minutes as read," answered Taverner firmly.
"Who'll second that?" asked Weekes.
"I will," said Noah Pearn.
Mr. Churchward sighed, shook his head tragically, and put his hand over his brow.