Page:Robert Barr - Lord Stranleigh Philanthropist.djvu/217

 There are some invitations in England that a poor man dare not accept, no matter how cordially they are given by his would-be host. He cannot accept an invitation to shoot, for the head-keeper will look with disdain at a tip of any amount less than five pounds, and there are a host of others, outdoors and in, who must be solaced with gold. However generous the host may be, he cannot save his guests from these exactions. The traditions of ages are against him. King George decrees that none of his servants showing visitors through Windsor Castle shall receive a tip, yet they receive it, despite the King-Emperor's command.

With a constant influx of guests at Walmer Castle the tips expected would be numerous and heavy. Wynn had some notion of attempting a compromise with the head servant, but he knew it would be infra dig. to do this; something not to be ventured by a man in his position, despite his own fixed opinion that the whole system was degrading both to giver and taker. On more than one occasion the Minister had found some pet project come to nought because it ran counter to an ancient custom or prejudice, and although he despised these relics of feudalism, he could not but respect their silent, invisible force of obstruction.