Margaret Maliphant

								

people in a genuine fashion, and now, as soon as a Radical candidate
appears, you talk of supporting him."
"I am not aware that I talked of supporting him," said father.
"But you won't return a Radical," continued the squire, not hearing
the remark. "The country isn't ripe for that sort of thing yet,
whatever you may think it will be. You're very influential, I know.
And if you're not with us, as I once hoped you might be, you'll be a
big weight against us. But with all your influence you won't return a
Radical. The Tories are too strong; they're much stronger than they
were last election, and then Sethurst was an old-fashioned Liberal and
a well-known man in the county besides. You won't return a Radical. I
don't believe there's a county in England would return what you would
call a Radical, and certainly not ours."
"I don't believe there is," said father, quietly.
"Then why do you want to support this candidate?"
"I don't," answered father. "I'm a man of my word, Squire Broderick.
I told you long ago I'd have nothing to do with politics, and no more
I will. If I am to be of any use, I must do it in another way--I must
work from another level. The county may return what it likes for all I
shall trouble about it."
"Well, 'pon my soul," began the squire, but at that moment mother's
voice came from the tea-table. She saw that a hot argument was
imminent, and she never could abide an argument. I think that father,
too, must have been disinclined for one, for when she said, "Father,
your tea is poured out," he took the hint at once. The squire looked
disappointed for a moment, but I think he was so glad that father's
influence was not going to take political shape against his candidate
that he forgave all else.
Mother was just making Captain Forrester welcome beside her as the
newest guest, when Deborah opened the door and ushered in Mr. Hoad.
I had quite forgotten that father had invited him. He stood a moment
as it were appraising the company. His eyes rested for less than an
instant on Squire Broderick, on Captain Forrester, and then shifted
immediately to mother.
"Oh, I am afraid that I intrude, Mrs. Maliphant," said he.
"Not at all, not at all, Hoad," declared father. "Come in; we expected
you."
Mother rose and offered him her hand. Then Captain Forrester, who had
been looking at him, came forward and offered his too in his most
genial manner. It was not till long afterwards that I found out that he
made a special point of always being most genial to those people whom
he considered ever so little beneath him.
"Oh, how are you, Hoad?" said he. "I thought I recognized you, but I
wasn't quite sure. I didn't expect to meet you here."
"No; nor I you!" exclaimed Hoad, gliding with ready adaptability into
the position offered him--a quality which I think was perhaps his chief
characteristic. "Delighted to see you."
Forrester gave up his place next mother, and sat down beside Joyce.