Herman Cyril McNeile

Name: Mufti — Chapter 9
Author: Herman Cyril McNeile

Mufti — Chapter 9 (1919)

Summary

“Mufti — Chapter 9”, published in 1919, is a work by Herman Cyril McNeile. It explores elements such as Vane, Joan and James.

Quotes from Mufti — Chapter 9 (Herman Cyril McNeile)

Herman Cyril McNeile, Mufti — Chapter 9 (1919)

“ She was dimpling with laughter, and suddenly Sir James laughed too.
"You nearly had me then, my boy," he cried; "very nearly. But it's on that point, Vane, that I get so wild with these intellectual men--men who should know better. Men like Ramage, and Johnson and all that lot. They know themselves that Socialism is a wild impossibility; they know that equality is out of the question, and yet they preach it to men who have not got their brains. It's a dangerously attractive doctrine; the working man who sees a motor flash past him wouldn't be human if he didn't feel a tinge of envy. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Herman Cyril McNeile, Mufti — Chapter 9 (1919)

“ What good does it do, what purpose in the scheme of things you may talk about, does it serve to turn out a man, who is beloved for miles around, and put in his place some wretched pork butcher who has made millions selling cat's meat as sausages?"
She faced Vane defiantly, and he wisely remained silent.
"You may call it what you like," she stormed; "but it's practically turning him out. Is it a crime to own land, and a virtue to make a fortune out of your neighbours in trade? Dad has never swindled a soul. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Herman Cyril McNeile, Mufti — Chapter 9 (1919)

“ It was at that moment that with a loud booming noise Aunt Jane again contributed to the conversation. "I'm afraid you've wasted your time out there, young man."
"She means that two Germans and one doubtful isn't enough," gurgled Joan, as she saw Vane's look of bewilderment. To his relief the old lady did not adjust her trumpet, so he assumed rightly that he would be allowed to suffer her displeasure in silence. . . .
"Well," said Sir James after a pause. "I suppose there are unsurmountable difficulties in making people understand. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Herman Cyril McNeile, Mufti — Chapter 9 (1919)

“ You can take it from me, Vane, that except in a few isolated localities the system of small holdings is utterly uneconomical and unsuccessful. It means ceaseless work, and a mere pittance in return. You know Northern France--well, you've got the small holdings scheme in full blast there. What time do they get up in the morning; what time do they go to bed at night? What do they live on? And from what you know of your own fellow countrymen, do you think any large percentage would tackle such a life? Believe me, these days, none of us want to keep land very much." Sir James frowned slightly. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Herman Cyril McNeile, Mufti — Chapter 9 (1919)

“ But I'm not a great thinker, and I can't get beyond the fact that it's not going to increase anybody's happiness--and there are a good many to be considered--if Dad goes, and a pork butcher comes in. . . . And that's that. . . ."
"Supposing," said Vane curiously, "it wasn't a pork butcher? Suppose it was someone who--well, let's say whom you wouldn't mind going in to dinner with."
"It would be just the same," she answered after a moment. "Just the same. It's ours, don't you see?--it's ours. It's always been ours." And the brooding, animal look had come back into her eyes. . . . ”

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Source: Wikisource

Herman Cyril McNeile, Mufti — Chapter 9 (1919)

“ A few meaningless but high flown phrases; a few such parrot cries as 'Down with the Capitalist and the Future is for the Worker,' and you've got even the steadiest man unsettled. . . . Especially if he's one of a crowd; mob psychology is the devil. . . ." Sir James paused and stared out of the window. "I don't fear for the decent fellow in the long run; it's in the early stages he may get blown. . . ."
"What are you two men talking about so busily?" Aunt Jane once again presented her trumpet to Vane. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Herman Cyril McNeile, Mufti — Chapter 9 (1919)

“ Dad, he is a bit steep," cried the girl. "That's the third time."
Sir James laughed. "I know, my dear; but things are bad. After all, he has lost one of his sons in Mesopotamia."
"A drunken waster," cried the girl.
"He died, Joan," said her father simply. "No man may do more."
"You're too kind-hearted, Dad," she said, patting his arm, and looking up into his face. "I wouldn't be."
Sir James laughed. "Oh! yes, you would. Besides, I sha'n't have a chance much longer." With a quick sigh, he bent and kissed her. "Run along and take Vane out on the lake. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Herman Cyril McNeile, Mufti — Chapter 9 (1919)

“ To have knowledge, to know to-day what is the truth, would be, I think, the most terrible burden any man could bear. Have you ever thought how tired God must be?"
Before he could answer she was shouting down her aunt's ear-trumpet. And Vane was left wondering at the strange mixture which went to make up Joan Devereux.
* * * * * Sir James was cordially delighted to see him, especially when he discovered that Vane knew Mr. Trent. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Herman Cyril McNeile, Mufti — Chapter 9 (1919)

“ Then she continued, and her voice was quite calm. "I know I'm talking rot--so you needn't pay any attention. The great thinkers are all agreed--aren't they?--that the present land system is wrong--and they must know, of course. ”

Herman Cyril McNeile

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Quotes from Mufti — Chapter 9 (Herman Cyril McNeile)

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