Silverbridge, which makes me think that
you have not realised the difference between private and public life.
In the former you choose your own associates and are responsible for
your choice. In the latter you are concerned with others for the good
of the State; and though, even for the State's sake, you would not
willingly be closely allied with those whom you think dishonest,
the outward manners and fashions of life need create no barriers.
I should not turn up my nose at the House of Commons because some
constituency might send them an illiterate shoemaker; but I might
probably find the illiterate shoemaker an unprofitable companion for
my private hours."

"I don't think there will be any shoemakers at the Beargarden."

"Even if there were I would go and dine with you. I shall be glad to
see the place where you, I suppose, pass many hours."

"I find it a very good shop to dine at. The place at the House is so
stuffy and nasty. Besides, one likes to get away for a little time."

"Certainly. I never was an advocate for living in the House. One
should always change the atmosphere." Then they got into a cab and
went to the club. Silverbridge was a little afraid of what he was
doing. The invitation had come from him on the spur of the moment,
and he hardly ventured to think that his father would accept it. And
now he did not quite know how the Duke would go through the ceremony.
"The other fellows" would all come and stare at a man whom they had
all been taught to regard as the most un-Beargardenish of men. But he
was especially anxious to make things pleasant for his father.

"What shall I order?" said the son as he took the Duke into a
dressing-room to wash his hands. The Duke suggested that anything
sufficient for his son would certainly be sufficient for him.

Nothing especial occurred during the dinner, which the Duke appeared
to enjoy very much. "Yes; I think it is very good soup," he said.
"I don't think they ever give me any soup at home." Then the son
expressed his opinion that unless his father looked about rather more
sharply, "they" very soon would provide no dinner at all, remarking
that experience had taught him that the less people demanded the more
they were "sat upon." The Duke did like his dinner,--or rather he
liked the feeling that he was dining with his son. A report that the
Duke of Omnium was with Lord Silverbridge soon went round the room,
and they who were justified by some previous acquaint