“Perhaps, Lady Selina, you are not aware that Snitterfield was appointed by the district council?”
“If you say so it is so.”
“Your bailiff, John Gridley, was chairman of the council at the time of Snitterfield’s appointment and is still.”
Light was dawning upon Lady Selina. She blinked.
“I—I see.”
“I cannot disguise from you—it would be criminal on my part to do so—that Snitterfield has powerful friends, Gridley amongst the number, and several of your farmers. From my knowledge of the chief, his investigation, if he comes to Upworthy, will be thorough. I fear that the results of his investigation would become public property. The Radical Press might take the matter up.”
“The Radical Press!” The light was now so intolerably strong that Lady Selina closed her eyes.
“In short, you, as lady of the manor, would be exposed to much hostile criticism and inevitable humiliation.”
Lady Selina opened her eyes, saying tartly:
“Humiliation is rather a strong word Mr. Grimshaw. Can you tell me why I should be humiliated because a local health officer is proved derelict in his duty?”