Was not New Wanley a sufficient balance against a piece of injustice, which, after all, was only one of words?
He wrote: 'DEAR SIR,--I have received your letter, but it is impossible for me to spend time in refuting idle stories.

What's more, I cannot see that my private concerns are a fit subject for discussion at a public meeting, as I understand they have been made.

You are at liberty to read this note when and where you please, and in that intention let me add that the cause of Socialism will not be advanced by attacks on the character of those most earnestly devoted to it.

I remain, yours truly, 'RICHARD MUTIMER.' It seemed to Richard that this was the very thing, alike in tone and phrasing.

A week or two previously a certain statesman had written to the same effect in reply to calumnious statements, and Richard consciously made that letter his model.