'To march about you would not like us? suggested the stationmaster; 'we have a fine yellow flag look you that embroidered for us was in silks.
'No, no. Into the tent!
The statiomnaster went back to consult with his fellow-musicians. There was a baying and growling and yapping as of the jungle at moonrise, and presently he came forward again with an obsequious, sidelong shuffle.
'Three pounds you pay us would you said indeed to at the sports play.
'Yes, yes, that's right, three pounds. Into the tent!
'Nothing whatever we can play without the money first, said the stationmaster firmly.
'How would it be, said Philbrick, 'if I gave him a clout on the ear?
'No, no, I beg you to do nothing of the kind. You have not lived in Wales as long as I have. He took a note‑case from his pocket, the sight of which seemed to galvanize the musicians into life; they crowded round, twitching and chattering. The Doctor took out three pound notes and gave them to the stationmaster. 'There you are, Davies! he said. 'Now take your men into the tent. They are on no account to emerge until after tea; do you understand?
The band slunk away, and Paul and the Doctor turned back towards the Castle.
'The Welsh character is an interesting study, said Dr Fagan. 'I have often considered writing a little monograph on the subject, but I was afraid it might make me unpopular in the village. The ignorant speak of them as Celts, which is of course wholly erroneous. They are of pure Iberian stock ‑ the aboriginal inhabitants of Europe who survive only in Portugal and the Basque district. Celts readily intermarry with their neighbours and absorb them. From the earliest times the Welsh have been looked upon as an unclean people. It is thus that they have preserved their racial integrity. Their sons and daughters rarely mate with human-kind except their own blood relations. In Wales there was no need for legislation to prevent the conquering people intermarrying with the conquered. In Ireland that was necessary, for there intermarriage was a political matter. In Wales it was moral. I hope, by the way, you have no Welsh blood?