They believe--and we believe--that you honestly try to
do your best; but, well, you do not succeed."
"I'd be glad to know where I've failed, sir. Mr. Ridgett, he said he
found everything in apple-pie order. That was Mr. Ridgett's very own
word."
"Who is Mr. Ridgett?"
"Your inspector, sir--what you sent to take over."
"Ah, yes. But he no doubt referred to the office itself. What I am
referring to is a much wider question--the necessity of avoiding
friction with the public. We have to remember that we are the servants
of the public, and not its masters. Now in country districts--You were
at Portsmouth, weren't you, before you went to Rodchurch?"
"Yes, sir."
"Well, of course, in the poorer parts of big towns like Portsmouth,
one has rather a rough crowd to deal with; good manners may not be
required; a dictatorial method is not so much resented. But in a
country village, in a residential neighborhood, where high and low are
accustomed to live in amity--well, I must say candidly, a postmaster
who adopts bullying tactics, and is always losing his temper--"
"Sir," said Dale earnestly, "I do assure you I am not a bully, nor one
who is always losing his temper."
"Yet you gave me the impression of irascibility just now, when I drew
you.
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