‘A race may have its commercial aspect,’ he said. ‘In fact it must. It is like a family. You MUST make provision. And to make provision you have got to strive against other families, other nations. I don’t see why you shouldn’t.’

Again Hermione made a pause, domineering and cold, before she replied: ‘Yes, I think it is always wrong to provoke a spirit of rivalry. It makes bad blood. And bad blood accumulates.’

‘But you can’t do away with the spirit of emulation altogether?’ said Gerald. ‘It is one of the necessary incentives to production and improvement.’

‘Yes,’ came Hermione’s sauntering response. ‘I think you can do away with it.’