281 



Our timekeeper here begged to remind us that "much 

 fearful communing was leaden servitor to dull delay, that 

 delay leads impotent and snail-paced beggary," and that 

 the infusion of a modicum of fiery expedition into the 

 proceedings would not be considered inopportune at the 

 present ju nc ture . 



" Halt ! " yelled our Conscientious Objector, "Don't 

 you see that the resulting cold current would be the property 

 of the Urban District Council, and that unscrupulously and 

 surreptitiously to lay violent hands on this current, whose 

 very helplessness ought to appeal to us trumpet- tongued, 

 and to divert its feeble energies towards the furtherance of 

 cur own nefarious schemes for self -aggrandisement, would 

 be nothing less than larceny, naked and unashamed ? fl 



If we were prepared to enter into negotiations with the 

 U.D.C. in a legitimate and straightforward manner for the 

 acquisition of the current, then he saw no reason why he 

 should object, but deliberately to steal the current because 

 we happened to want it, that was a horse of another colour. 

 We might just as reasonably tap the gas and water supply. 

 These operations would present no difficulty, and we should 

 derive considerable financial benefits. It was opportunity 

 that made the thief. 



A reasonable distinction should always be preserved be- 

 tween mewmand tuum, in spite of any pecuniary advantages 

 which might accrue from a confusion of these matters. 

 He had never entertained a very high opinion of the moral 

 qualities of his co-workers, but he literally stood aghast at 

 the enormity of such "naked villainy " as was new in 

 contemplation, and his feelings on finding himself associated 

 with such an unscrupulous gang of conscienceless despera- 

 does were wonderfully akin to those of the lady in the poem 

 (Miss Kilmansegg) who dreamt she had married the devil. 



