The Vicegerent twinkled, and Peter helplessly chafed. The Vicegerent put a gentle hand upon his arm.
"Well, Mr. Paragon, I'm sorry your protest has taken this particular form. I shall be sorry to lose you. However, your protest seems to be quite in order. So I suppose you are at liberty to make it."
"And to publish my reasons?" Peter flared.
"I have published mine," smiled the Vicegerent.
He took up a copy of the Oxford magazine, underlined a brief passage in blue pencil, and handed it to Peter. Peter read:
"The Vicegerent has decided that Gingerbread Fair is not a suitable play for performance at the Oxford Theatre. He does not think the moral of the play is one that can suitably be offered to an audience of young people. It will be remembered that this play was licensed by the Lord Chamberlain only after serious consideration of its ethical purport."
Peter choked.
"These are not reasons," he flamed.
"Mr. Paragon," said the Vicegerent, "this is not for discussion."