sallow, discontented-looking, middle-aged man, who would have been the handsomer for a shave and a hair-cut.
"Certainly, Mr. Cloisters," nodded the chairman.
"I may inform Lord Stranleigh that I am an architect by profession, and have been appointed surveyor for this district. If the Council decides to receive the plans at this late day, they will come before me for judgment. I am well aware that Mr. Binns is a celebrated architect. Whether he is a good one or not I leave for others to say. Probably he is the right kind of man to draw plans for buildings in London, Manchester, or other large cities, but I have no hesitation in stating that the cottages which have been erected in this neighbourhood are entirely unsuitable for the purpose. They are provided with bath-rooms, hot and cold water, and other luxuries, that our labourers are quite unaccustomed to. They will breed discontent and lead to extravagance. Their erection will make it harder for other landowners who are not in the fortunate position of Lord Stranleigh so far as wealth is concerned, and cannot afford to put up cottages for their labourers at a rent those labourers would pay. Lord Stranleigh may be willing to forgo interest on his investment, but other landowners are not so well situated. The inevitable result must be great discontent among the labourers in every part of the district except that which Lord
