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Douglas, Norman, 1868-1952

"South Wind"

Warnings are not sent for nothing. And you
gentlemen--you propose to hide away this heaven-sent warning in a
sanatorium. That strikes me as flying in the face of Providence."
"Our project would at least secure her from the risk of being run over
by some vehicle."
"Pray, why should the dear lady not choose to be run over? Surely she
can please herself? It would be an appropriate ending to a brief and
merry career. It would be more than this. We spoke, just now, of her
example as a deterrent to others. Well, this example, so far as we
spectators are concerned, would lose its point and pungency if she died
as you propose--a half-reclaimed inebriate in some home. She must be run
over, or otherwise violently destroyed, if we are to have the full
benefit of the example. It is only then that we shall be able to say to
ourselves: Ah, we always thought it was risky to drink strong waters,
but NOW WE KNOW."
"A fatal accident of this kind, quite apart from other considerations,
would involve her relatives in all kinds of trouble with the legal
authorities of this country.


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