“Every thinking person ought to realise that there are a million more women than men in the country.”
“I wasn’t questioning that.”
“Therefore the female birth rate must be higher than the male.”
Miss Whiffen retorted with figures. She was always attacking Mrs. Brocklebank with statistics.
“If you look up the records you will find that there are about a hundred and five boys born to every hundred girls.”
“That does not alter the situation.”
“Oh, of course not.”
“This scheme of helping marriageable young women to emigrate——”
Mrs. Brocklebank paused, and turned the big gun on Miss Whiffen.
“I said marriageable young women! Have you any objection to the term, Miss Whiffen?”