"Honesty and dishonesty are two different things," said the Major.

"Don't keep on making those bald and senseless assertions," said Dr.
O'Grady. "Even an income tax collector, and he's the most sceptical kind
of man there is with regard to assertions about money--but even he allows
his victims to deduct the expenses necessarily incurred in making their
incomes from the gross amount which they return to him. You can't want
to go behind the income tax authorities, Major."

"It's all very well arguing," said the Major, "and I can't answer you
when you confuse things in the way you do. But I know perfectly well
that it isn't right----"

"Well do what the doctor says, anyway," said Doyle. "Doesn't the
Government rob the whole of us every day more than ever we'll be able to
rob it?"

"There's something in that, too," said Father McCormack.

Curiously enough Doyle's statement produced far more effect on Major
Kent's mind than the elaborate arguments of Dr. O'Grady. He was
accustomed to gnash his teeth over the burden of taxation laid upon him.
He had often, in private conversation, described governments, especially
Liberal Governments, as bandits and thieves.

"We are robbed," he said. "I admit that. What with the extra tax on
unearned income and the insurance of servants against accidents, and
this infernal new unemployment insurance, and the death duties, and----"

"There was a report of the Financial Relations Commission," said
Gallagher, "which presented a case on behalf of Ireland that showed----"

"Don't drag in politics, Thady," said Dr. O'Grady. "The Major admits
that he's robbed. That ought to be enough for you. Now, Major, if you
were attacked by a highwayman----"

"I didn't say the Government was a highwayman," said the Major.

"You said it was a robber. Didn't he, Father Mc-Cormack?"

"He said it had him robbed," said Father McCormack, with the air of a
man who is carefully making a fine distinction.

"That's exactly the same thing. Now, Major, if a robber stole your
money, wouldn't you take the first chance you could of getting it back?
You know you would. We all would. And would you call that dishonesty?
You would not. Now we're offering you the chance of getting something
back, a mere trifle, but still something, out of a Government which, as
you admit, has robbed you. Why on earth do you start making a fuss?"

"I can't argue with you, O'Grady," said the Major, "but you're wrong."

"What's the g