"We don't think you treat this matter seriously enough," said Mr. Nape severely; "we have a certain duty to our party; a certain responsibility to our public; the whole district is ripe for change; the job of dismissing the water-cart man has roused considerable feeling; the appointment of the workhouse master's son to the position of rate collector is a scandal—people are asking how long, how long?"
"How long?" demanded the Duke.
"How long," repeated Mr. Nape.
"I mean how long have they been asking that remarkable question?"
Mr. Nape coughed modestly.
"It coincided with the appearance of our little leaderette on 'Subconscious Corruption,'" he admitted.
As to the letter of apology, the Duke silenced criticism with extraordinary brusqueness. The change in the policy of the Aristocrat was revolutionary. It affected Mr. Nape dismally, it affected Mr. R. B. Rake, editor of the L. & L. staggeringly—it had a paralysing effect upon the household at Hydeholme.
"Now what on earth is the meaning of this," demanded the knight. He stabbed the newspaper with his short forefinger. The article it referred to was headed "An Open Letter."
It began—
"To one whom I have offended."