"Why do people stop at an inn?" he asked, in his turn. "That's a damn silly question, if ever I heard one."
"You're out of order," retorted Weekes. "Though, of course, we all know very well your meaning."
Mr. Pearn lifted his chin very high.
"All right, all right!" he said. "What d'you want to open your mouth so wide for? I suppose every man of this committee has a right to be heard? And I suppose we've all got an axe to grind, else we shouldn't be here?"
"You'll have your say in due course, Noah Pearn. Don't waste the committee's time interrupting," said Mr. Prout.
But the landlord proceeded.
"I'm the last to want to waste anybody's time—know the value of time too well. But this I will say, that I'll give a free lunch to fifty people on the day—three courses, and hot joints with the first—if 'tis understood everyone pays for his own drinks. That's my offer; take it or leave it. So now then!"
"I was going to say 'order'; but, since you submit a definite proposal, I won't, Mr. Pearn. Well, that seems a patriotic offer—eh, gentlemen?"
Mr. Churchward glanced about him and caught Mr. Henry Norseman's eye.
"We ought to vote on that," declared the churchwarden.