"The patron Saint of England—eh? Well, there's no objection to him, certainly," he said, but without enthusiasm; and Jarratt instantly made his annoyance clear.
"Objection to St. George! Good God! I should think there wasn't any objection to St. George! What next, I wonder? If St. George ban't done, I'll leave the committee—so I tell you. You're glumpy because you didn't think of the man yourself!"
"Order! order!" cried Mr. Churchward. "Far be it from me to cast any slur on the name of St. George. But there are so many other notable personages to consider; and as I am of opinion that we can hardly manage more than five or six at the outside, I felt doubtful. However, let us have St. George by all means. Those in favour of St. George will kindly signify the same in the usual manner."
St. George was honoured with a unanimous vote. Then Mr. Huggins piped in.
"And do let's have the old dragon, souls! St. Garge be nought without un."
"The dragon! The dragon, Huggins?" asked Mr. Churchward. "That's rather startling—and yet——"
"Certainly the dragon," said Mr. Prout firmly; "Valentine's right there."
"'The Infant' might play dragon very nice," suggested Mr. Pearn.
"Not he—too fat," declared Jarratt Weekes brutally; and William Churchward's father was a good deal hurt.
"My son is not too fat," he answered. "William may be stout; but I imagine a prosperous dragon would be stout, for that matter. Wasn't St. George's dragon prosperous before he met St. George, Mr. Spry? You are pretty well up in the heathen mythology, I believe."