discover no reasonable ground for this proposal, look at
it how you will from the commercial point of view. One has to look
at the _political_ aspect of the matter, to understand it; and I am
reluctant to drag in politics. I will only say, in conclusion, that it
must be those who have framed this proposal that expect to derive some
profit from it; the railway certainly would derive none. (Sits down.)

Koll. That last remark was a little like an accusation--

The Mayor (getting up). I only alluded to what is in every one's mind.
(Sits down.)

Koll. A speaker is not in order in making accusations, even though they
be assumed to be in every one's mind.--I see that Mr. Alstad wishes to
speak.

Alstad. Human nature is frail. That seems to me a sufficient explanation
of how such a proposal came to be laid before us. But honestly--for we
all ought to be honest!--it seems to me that any material advantage
it might bring would be more than counterbalanced by loss of esteem.
(Uproar.) There has been quite a different spirit in the place of late
years--what with the factories, and the stranger workmen, and the summer
visitors. We never used to have so much unrest or to hear so much of
this talk about "equality." And now, if we are to give the impression
that there is only one social class here--and that a third class--I
know that I shall be by no means alone in feeling offended. We certainly
don't want to sit on our work-people's laps; and, equally, we don't want
to have them sitting on ours. (Sits down.)

Gran. Our friend the Mayor is very fond of talking of his loyalty; but I
must say I am surprised at his dragging the King even into this matter.
As for the matter of the railway carriage in which one of so high degree
would travel here--well, if our carriages are not good enough, surely
his Majesty's private saloon can be used on our line as well as on
the main line. And as for any of us ordinary mortals who are afraid of
mixing with the common herd, surely they can sit together in carriages
by themselves. The carriages would be separate; they would only be of
the same kind. I think there would be little fear of their being exposed
to intrusion on the part of our country-folk. _They_ are much more apt
to be more timidly shy than is even desirable. On all small lines--even
on many of the bigger ones--it is the less luxurious carriages, the
second and third class, that for the cost of the more luxurious ones;
it is the third