But to set ourselves against them is a weakness and a folly." Mr.Birtwell's voice and manner grew more confident as he spoke.

He felt that he had closed the argument.
"If society," answered his wife, "gets wrong, how is it to get right ?" Mr.Birtwell was silent.
"Is it not made up of individuals ?" "Of course." "And is not each of the individuals responsible, in his degree, for the conduct of society ?" "In a certain sense, yes." "Society, as a whole, cannot determine a question of right and wrong.
Only individuals can do this.

Certain of these, more independent than the rest, pass now and then from the beaten track of custom, and the great mass follow them.

Because they do this or that, it is right or in good taste and becomes fashionable.

The many are always led by the few.
It is through the personal influence of the leaders in social life that society is now cursed by its drinking customs.