“I felt the same. ‘Defeatist’ sums it up to a nicety. Did you tell him his attitude struck you as defeatist?”
“Yes, sir.”
“But it didn’t do any good?”
“No, sir.”
“Very well, then, Jeeves. We must act. How much gin did you put in the jug?”
“A liberal tumblerful, sir.”
“Would that be a normal dose for an adult defeatist, do you think?”
“I fancy it should prove adequate, sir.”
“I wonder. We must not spoil the ship for a ha’porth of tar. I think I’ll add just another fluid ounce or so.”
“I would not advocate it, sir. In the case of Lord Brancaster’s parrot——”