"Whatever side I was, I could not listen to that. As an older man, let me give you a word of advice."
Dale lifted his hands in good-humored protest.
"Sorry you don't like it," he said. "Shut up, Roberts! If I'd known, we wouldn't have had it. But it's true--true--true."
"I must differ utterly; I must indeed. Good-by, Mr. Bannister. Hedger?"
"I am walking into the town. Come with me."
The Mayor wavered. The Squire stood and waited for him.
"I didn't think of goin' yet, Mr. Delane, sir."
"Your wife will expect you," said the Squire. "Come along."
The Mayor rose, ignoring Johnstone's grin and the amusement on the faces of the company.
"I'll come and look you up," said Dale, pressing the Squire's hand warmly. "Oh, it's all right. Tastes differ. I'm not offended. I'll come some day this week."
He showed them out, and, returning, said to the Doctor, "Roberts, you'll get into trouble."
"Nonsense!" said the Doctor. "What business is it of his?"
"Good-by," said he abruptly. "We close at five."
"It will be deducted from your bill," answered Dale.
After ejecting Johnstone, he stood by the table, looking moodily at the floor.
"What's the matter, Dale?" asked Miss Fane.
"I suppose he thought we were beasts or lunatics."
"Probably," said Philip Hume. "What then?"
"Well, yes," answered Dale, smiling again. "You're quite right, Phil. What then?"
If men never told their wives anything, the condition of society would no doubt be profoundly modified, though it is not easy to forecast the precise changes. If a guess may be hazarded, it is probable that much less good would be done, and some less evil said: the loss of matter of interest for half the world may be allowed to sway the balance in favor of the present practice--a practice so universal that Mr. Delane, the Mayor, and Alderman Johnstone, one and all, followed it by telling their wives about their Sunday afternoon at Littlehill. Dr. Roberts, it is true, gave a meager account to his wife, but the narratives of the other three amply filled the gaps he left, and, as each of them naturally dwelt on the most remarkable features of their entertainment, it may be supposed that the general impression produced in Market Denborough did not fall short of the truth in vividness of color. The facts as to what occurred have been set down without extenuation and without malice: the province of Market Denborough society was to supply the inferences arising therefrom, and this task it fulfilled with no grudging hand. Before eight-and-forty hours had passed, there were reports that the Squire had discovered a full-blown Saturnalia in process at Littlehill--and that in these scandalous proceedings the Mayor, Alderman Johnstone, and Dr. Roberts were participators.