The Honourable Hilary shook his head.
"Too much zeal," he observed. "I guess he won't do it again."
For a while after that they talked of strictly legal matters, which the chief counsel produced in order out of his bag. But when these were finally disposed of, Mr. Flint led the conversation back to the Honourable Humphrey Crewe, who stood harmless—to be sure—like a bull on the track which it might be unwise to run over.
"He doesn't amount to a soap bubble in a gale," Mr. Flint declared contemptuously. "Sometimes I think we made a great mistake to notice him.
"We haven't noticed him," said Mr. Vane; "the newspapers have."
Mr. Flint brushed this distinction aside.
"That," he said irritably, "and letting Tooting go—"
The Honourable Hilary's eyes began to grow red. In former days Mr. Flint had not often questioned his judgment.
"There's one thing more I wanted to mention to you," said the chief counsel. "In past years I have frequently drawn your attention to that section of the act of consolidation which declares that rates and fares existing at the time of its passage shall not be increased."
"Well," said Mr. Flint, impatiently, "well, what of it?"