was glad. As they went to the first bootmaker's,
Mr. Trigger communicated to Sir Thomas a certain incident in the
career of Mr. Spiveycomb, the paper-maker. "He's got a contract
for paper from the 'Walhamshire Herald,' Sir Thomas;--the largest
circulation anywhere in these parts. Griffenbottom gets him that; and
if ere a man of his didn't vote as he bade 'em, he wouldn't keep 'em,
not a day. I don't know that we've a man in Percycross so stanch as
old Spiveycomb." This was Mr. Trigger's revenge.

The first bootmaker had very little to say for himself, and hardly
gave Sir Thomas much opportunity of preaching his doctrine of purity.
"I hope you'll do something for our trade, Sir Thomas," said the
first bootmaker. Sir Thomas explained that he did not at present see
his way to the doing of anything special for the bootmakers; and then
took his leave. "He's all right," said Mr. Trigger. "He means it.
He's all right. And he'll say a word to his men too, though I don't
know that much 'll come of it. They're a rum lot. If they're put out
here to-day, they can get in there to-morrow. They're a cankery
independent sort of chaps, are bootmakers. Now we'll go and see old
Pile. He'll have to second one of you,--will Pile. He's a sort of
father of the borough in the way of Conservatives. And look here, Sir
Thomas;--let him talk. Don't you say much to him. It's no use in life
talking to old Pile." Sir Thomas said nothing, but he determined that
he would speak to old Pile just as freely as he had to Mr. Trigger
himself.

"Eh;--ah;"--said old Pile; "you're Sir Thomas Underwood, are you? And
you wants to go into Parliament?"

"If it please you and your townsmen to send me there."

"Yes;--that's just it. But if it don't please?"

"Why, then I'll go home again."

"Just so;--but the people here ain't what they are at other places,
Sir Thomas Underwood. I've seen many elections here, Sir Thomas."

"No doubt you have, Mr. Pile."

"Over a dozen;--haven't you, Mr. Pile?" said Trigger.

"And carried on a deal better than they have been since you meddled
with them," said Mr. Pile, turning upon Trigger. "They used to do the
thing here as it should be done, and nobody wasn't extortionate, nor
yet cross-grained. They're changing a deal about these things, I'm
told; but they're changing all for the worse. They're talking of
purity,--purity,--purity; and what does it all amount to? Men is
getting greedier every day."

"We mean to be pure