of resignation.

"It looks as if I couldn't refuse you; and anyway it wouldn't be
polite." He turned to his customers.

"Boys, it's not my fault, but you'll get no more drinks to-day. For
all that, I must make a point of asking you to treat these ladies with
respect."

"Smart," Grant remarked to George. "He has handled the thing right.
This means trouble for Hardie."

Then Beamish once more addressed the intruders.

"Now that I've given in, has it struck you that there isn't much use in
closing my place if you leave the Queen's open?"

"We'll shut them both!" Mrs. Nelson declared.

"Then there's just another point--I've folks who have driven a long
way, staying the night with me, and there's quite a crowd coming in for
supper. How am I to treat them?"

"They can have all they want to eat," Mrs. Nelson told him graciously;
"but no liquor."

"I can't refuse to supply them without a reason. What am I to say?"

"Tell them that the Women's Reform League has compelled you to close
your bar."