“Now that you put it in that way,” said Father McCormack, “I can see well that there’s something in what you say.”
“Honesty and dishonesty are two different things,” said the Major.
“Don’t keep on making those bald and senseless assertions,” said Dr. O’Grady. “Even an income tax collector, and he’s the most sceptical kind of man there is with regard to assertions about money—but even he allows his victims to deduct the expenses necessarily incurred in making their incomes from the gross amount which they return to him. You can’t want to go behind the income tax authorities, Major.”
“It’s all very well arguing,” said the Major, “and I can’t answer you when you confuse things in the way you do. But I know perfectly well that it isn’t right——”
“Well do what the doctor says, anyway,” said Doyle. “Doesn’t the Government rob the whole of us every day more than ever we’ll be able to rob it?”
“There’s something in that, too,” said Father McCormack.
Curiously enough Doyle’s statement produced far more effect on Major Kent’s mind than the elaborate arguments of Dr. O’Grady. He was accustomed to gnash his teeth over the burden of taxation laid upon him. He had often, in private conversation, described governments, especially Liberal Governments, as bandits and thieves.
“We are robbed,” he said. “I admit that. What with the extra tax on unearned income and the insurance of servants against accidents, and this infernal new unemployment insurance, and the death duties, and——”
“There was a report of the Financial Relations Commission,” said Gallagher, “which presented a case on behalf of Ireland that showed——”
“Don’t drag in politics, Thady,” said Dr. O’Grady. “The Major admits that he’s robbed. That ought to be enough for you. Now, Major, if you were attacked by a highwayman——”