e a fool of myself to-night," Silverbridge said
when he was alone with Tregear,--probably with some little pride in
his heart.

"I ought to say that you did, seeing that you praised me so
violently. But, whatever it was, it was well taken. I don't know
whether they will elect me; but had you come down as a candidate, I
am quite sure they would have elected you." Silverbridge was hardly
satisfied with this. He wished to have been told that he had spoken
well. He did not, however, resent his friend's coldness. "Perhaps,
after all, I did make a fool of myself," he said to himself as he
went to bed.

On the next day, after breakfast, it was found to be raining heavily.
Canvassing was of course the business of the hour, and canvassing is
a business which cannot be done indoors. It was soon decided that the
rain should go for nothing. Could an agreement have been come to with
the Carbottleites it might have been decided that both parties should
abstain, but as that was impossible the Tregear party could not
afford to lose the day. As Mr. Carbottle, by reason of his fatness
and natural slowness, would perhaps be specially averse to walking
about in the slush and mud, it might be that they would gain
something; so after breakfast they started with umbrellas,--Tregear,
Silverbridge, Mr. Newcomb the curate, Mr. Pinebott the conservative
attorney, with four or five followers who were armed with books and
pencils, and who ticked off on the list of the voters the names of
the friendly, the doubtful, and the inimical.

Parliamentary canvassing is not a pleasant occupation. Perhaps
nothing more disagreeable, more squalid, more revolting to the
senses, more opposed to personal dignity, can be conceived. The
same words have to be repeated over and over again in the cottages,
hovels, and lodgings of poor men and women who only understand that
the time has come round in which they are to be flattered instead of
being the flatterers. "I think I am right in supposing that your
husband's principles are Conservative, Mrs. Bubbs." "I don't know
nothing about it. You'd better call again and see Bubbs hissel."
"Certainly I will do so. I shouldn't at all like to leave the borough
without seeing Mr. Bubbs. I hope we shall have your influence, Mrs.
Bubbs." "I don't know nothing about it. My folk at home allays vote
buff; and I think Bubbs ought to go buff too. Only mind this; Bubbs
don't never come home to his dinner. You must come arter six, a