The Experiment of Mr. Buck
against the public good. The King's Government would be justified in forcing you."
With his lean fingers spread on the table he stared anxiously at Wayne's face, which did not move.
"In forcing you . . . it would," he repeated.
"It shall," said Buck, shortly, turning to the table with a jerk. "We have done our best to be decent."
Wayne lifted his large eyes slowly.
"Was it my Lord Buck," he enquired, "who said that the King of England 'shall' do something?"
Buck flushed and said testily—
"I mean it must—it ought to, as I say we've done our best to be generous. I defy any one to deny it. As it is Mr. Wayne, I don't want to say a word that's uncivil. I hope it's not uncivil to say that you can be, and ought to be, in gaol. It is criminal to stop public works for a whim. A man might as well burn ten thousand onions in his front garden or bring up his children to run naked in the street, as do what you say you have a right to do. People have been compelled to sell before now. The King could compel you, and I hope he will."
"Until he does," said Wayne, calmly, "the
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