husband--

Koll. Will you tell me who could prohibit it? Does any one wish to
speak--?

The Priest (interrupting). The Scriptures prohibit it, Mr.
Chairman!--the Scriptures, which we are all bound to obey, even--

Gran (getting up and interrupting him). Mr. Chairman!

Koll. Mr. Gran will address the meeting.

Gran. I only want to ask whether--

The Priest. But _I_ was addressing the meeting!

Koll. Mr. Gran will address the meeting.

The Priest. I protest against that ruling!

Alstad (half rising). Our worthy Priest must obey authority. (Sits down
amidst laughter.)

The Priest. Not when it does an injustice! I appeal to the meeting!

Koll. Very good!--Will those in favour of the Priest addressing the
meeting kindly stand up? (No one gets up; and those who were previously
standing bob down. Laughter.) Carried unanimously, that the Priest do
not address the meeting. (The PRIEST sits down.) Mr. Gran will address
the meeting.

Gran (getting up). I withdraw from my right! (Renewed laughter.)

The Mayor (getting up). Mr. Chairman!

Koll. The Mayor will address the meeting.

The Mayor. I am one of many to whom this proposal of the directors seems
extraordinary, to say the least of it. Do they propose that the ladies
of my family--I will leave myself out of the question, for as a public
man I have to rub shoulders with all sorts of people--do they propose,
I say, that ladies who have been delicately brought up shall travel with
any Tom, Dick and Harry?--perhaps with convicts being conveyed to gaol,
or with journeymen labourers? Is his honour the Chief Magistrate, who is
a Commander of a noble Order of Knighthood, to travel side by side
with a drunken navvy? Supposing the King were to pay a visit to this
beautiful district, which has acquired such a reputation since so many
of the best people from town have taken villas here; is his Majesty to
make the journey in one of these third-class carriages, with the chance
of travelling in company with tradesman stinking of stale cheese?--with
folk who, moreover--well, perhaps in common decency I ought not to
go on, as ladies are present. (Laughter.) "Economy," I hear some one
suggest. That word is in great favour nowadays. But I should like to
know what economy there is getting your clothes soiled? (Laughter.) Does
a first-class carriage wear out sooner than a third class? It costs
more to build, no doubt, but that is soon made up by the higher fares
charged. I can