“So much for generalities.  Now Miss Wilberforce is a lady of independent means and of a certain age.  She is not an infant, to be protected against herself or against others; she has reached years of indiscretion.  Like a good many sensible persons she lives in this country.  Of course a residence here has its drawbacks—­very grave drawbacks, some of them.  But the drawbacks are counter-balanced by certain advantages.  In short, what applies to one country does not always apply to the other.  Yet you propose to treat her exactly as if she were living in England.  That strikes me as somewhat unreasonable.”

“Mr. van Koppen has promised us—­”

“He may do what he likes with his money.  But I don’t see why I should become the pivot for making my good friend do what strikes me as a foolish action.  I am too fond of him for that.  Mr. van Koppen and myself have many points in common; among other things this feature, that neither of us is of aristocratic birth.  I suspect this is what made you count on me for a subscription.  You thought that I, having a little money of my own, might be tempted by certain sycophantic instincts to emulate his misplaced generosity.  But I am not a snob.  From the social point of view I don’t care a tuppenny damn for anyone.  On the other hand, my origin has given me something of Dr. Samuel Johnson’s respect for what he calls his betters.  I like the upper classes, especially when they behave according to their old traditions.  That is why I like Miss Wilberforce.  She conducts herself, if report be true, with all the shamelessness of a born lady.  Born ladies are not so common that we should hide them away in nursing homes.  All forceful seclusion is dishonouring.  Every little insect, drunk or sober, enjoys its freedom; and if you gentlemen were not philanthropists I would try to point out how galling your proposal must be, how humiliating to a high-spirited woman to be placed under lock and key, in charge of some callous attendant.  But to what purpose?  Turkey rhubarb—­”

“I am afraid, Mr. Keith, that we have come at an inopportune moment?”

“It’s quite possible.  But I won’t keep you much longer—­you must be dying to attend that funeral!  In fact, I would not detain you at all if I did not feel that you expected some kind of explanation from me.  What were we saying?”

“Turkey rhubarb.”

“Ah, yes!  I was trying to be fair-minded which, by the way, is a general mistake.  It struck me that perhaps I over-emphasized its advantages just now.  Because, of course, there is something to be said against the use of such drugs.  In fact, now I come to think of it, there is a good deal to be said in favour of constipation.  It is the cause of our English spleenfulness, and this spleenfulness, properly directed, has its uses.  It engenders a certain energetic intolerance of mind.  I think the success of our nation is largely due to this particular quality.  If I were an historian I would amuse