His brain was very clear and active--and whenever he chose to talk, there were plenty of his humble friends ready to listen.

One day the morning papers were full of great headlines announcing the assassination of one of the world's throned rulers, and the Weircombe fishermen, discussing the news, sought the opinion of "old David" concerning the matter.

"Old David" was, however, somewhat slow to be drawn on so questionable a subject, but Angus Reay was not so reticent.
"Why should kings spend money recklessly on their often filthy vices and pleasures," he demanded, "while thousands, ay, millions of their subjects starve?
As long as such a wretched state of things exists, so long will there be Anarchy.

But I know the head and front of the offending! I know the Chief of all the Anarchists!" "Lord bless us!" exclaimed Mrs.Twitt, who happened to be standing by.
"Ye don't say so! Wot's' 'ee like ?" "He's all shapes and sizes--all colours too!" laughed Angus.

"He's simply the Irresponsible Journalist!" "As you were once!" suggested Helmsley, with a smile.
"No, I was never 'irresponsible,'" declared Reay, emphatically.