Deploring in motion the announcement he had to make, Skepsey replied:  ’I have a difficulty in getting the plan treated seriously:  a person of no station:—­it does not appear of national importance.  Ladies are against.  They decline their signatures; and ladies have great influence; because of the blood; which we know is very slight, rather healthy than not; and it could be proved for the advantage of the frailer sex.  They seem to be unaware of their own interests—­ladies.  The contention all around us is with ignorance.  My plan is written; I have shown it, and signatures of gentlemen, to many of our City notables favourable in most cases:  gentlemen of the Stock Exchange highly.  The clergy and the medical profession are quite with me.’

‘The surgical, perhaps you mean?’

‘Also, sir.  The clergy strongly.’

‘On the grounds of—­what, Skepsey?’

’Morality.  I have fully explained to them:—­after his work at the desk all day, the young City clerk wants refreshment.  He needs it, must have it.  I propose to catch him on his way to his music-halls and other places, and take him to one of our establishments.  A short term of instruction, and he would find a pleasure in the gloves; it would delight him more than excesses-beer and tobacco.  The female in her right place, certainly.’  Skepsey supplicated honest interpretation of his hearer, and pursued

’It would improve his physical strength, at the same time add to his sense of personal dignity.’

‘Would you teach females as well—­to divert them from their frivolities?’

’That would have to be thought over, sir.  It would be better for them than using their nails.’

‘I don’t know, Skepsey:  I’m rather a Conservative there.’

’Yes; with regard to the female, sir:  I confess, my scheme does not include them.  They dance; that is a healthy exercise.  One has only to say, that it does not add to the national force, in case of emergency.  I look to that.  And I am particular in proposing an exercise independent of—­I have to say—­sex.  Not that there is harm in sex.  But we are for training.  I hope my meaning is clear?’

’Quite.  You would have boxing with the gloves to be a kind of monastic recreation.’

‘Recreation is the word, sir; I have often admired it,’ said Skepsey, blinking, unsure of the signification of monastic.

‘I was a bit of a boxer once,’ Mr. Fenellan said, conscious of height and breadth in measuring the wisp of a figure before him.

‘Something might be done with you still, sir.’

Skepsey paid him the encomium after a respectful summary of his gifts in a glimpse.  Mr. Fenellan bowed to him.

Mr. Radnor raised head from the notes he was pencilling upon letters perused.

’Skepsey’s craze:  regeneration of the English race by boxing—­nucleus of a national army?’

’To face an enemy at close quarters—­it teaches that, sir.  I have always been of opinion, that courage may be taught.  I do not say heroism.  And setting aside for a moment thoughts of an army, we create more valuable citizens.  Protection to the weak in streets and by-places—­shocking examples of ruffians maltreating women, in view of a crowd.’