“Of course, of course,” said Father McCormack.
“The doctor wouldn’t do the like,” said Doyle.
“Sure we all know that,” said Father McCormack, “but the objection that the Major has raised——”
“It’s all very well talking,” said the Major. “But talking won’t alter facts. It is dishonest to get a grant of money for one purpose and use it for something totally different.”
“I’m not quite sure,” said Dr. O’Grady, “whether you quite understand the philosophy of modern charity, Major.”
“I understand the ten commandments,” said the Major, “and that’s enough for me.”
“Nobody’s saying a word against the ten commandments,” said Dr. O’Grady.
“You’re going to do something against one of them,” said the Major, “and that’s worse. If you merely said things against them I shouldn’t mind. We all know that you’d say anything.”
“You’re begging the question, Major, you really are. Now listen to me. What’s the ordinary recognised way of raising large sums of money for charitable objects? Some kind of bazaar, isn’t it?”
“It is,” said Father McCormack. “There’s hardly ever a winter but there’s one or two of them up in Dublin for hospitals or the like.”