“You mean he’s a bit of a prig. Oh, well, he’s only just come down from Oxford. He’ll get over that.”
“I mean nothing of the sort. I look upon him as a very excellent young man, and with his opportunities I’m convinced that he’ll end up as Prime Minister.”
“And suppose Winnie refuses him?” said Lord Spratte.
“What!” cried the Canon, with a jump, for such a possibility had never occurred to him. But he put it aside quickly as beyond the bounds of reason. “Nonsense! Why should she? He’s a very eligible young man, and he has my full approval.”
Lord Spratte shrugged his shoulders.
“Supposin’ she should take it into her head to marry that Socialist Johnny? D’you know, she told me he was the handsomest man she’d ever seen in her life.”
The Canon burst into a shout of laughter.
“Young Railing? Absurd! My daughter knows what is due to herself and to her family. She may be young, but she has a sense of dignity which I should be pleased to see in you, Thomas. Remember our motto: Malo mori quam fœdari, I would sooner die than be disgraced.”
“I always think we were overcharged for that,” murmured Lord Spratte.
“Of course a fine sentiment merely excites your ribaldry!”