me to tea, Captain," said the father, as
he walked off.

On that occasion, Ralph abstained from all direct love-making,
and Polly, when she found that it was to be so, made herself very
pleasant. "The idea of your being at Margate, Mr. Newton," said
Polly.

"Why not I, as well as another?"

"Oh, I don't know. Brighton, or some of those French places, or any
where all about the world, would be more likely for you, I should
think."

"Margate seems to be very jolly."

"Oh, I like it. But then we are not swells, you know. Have you
heard the news? Ontario Moggs is going to stand to be 'member of
Parliament' for Percycross."

"My rival!" That was the only word he uttered approaching to the
subject of love.

"I don't know anything about that, Mr. Newton. But it's true."

"Why, Sir Thomas Underwood is going to stand."

"I don't know anything about anybody else, but Ontario Moggs is
going to stand. I do so hope he'll get in. They say he speaks quite
beautiful. Did you ever hear him?"

"I never heard him."

"Ah, you may laugh. But a bootmaker can make a speech sometimes as
well as,--as well as a peer of Parliament. Father says that old Mr.
Moggs has given him ever so much money to do it. When a man is in
Parliament, Mr. Newton, doesn't that make him a gentleman?"

"No."

"What then?"

"Nothing on earth can make a man a gentleman. You don't understand
Latin, Polly?"

"No. I hope that isn't necessary for a young woman."

"By no means. But a poet is born, and can't be made."

"I'm not talking of poets. Ontario Moggs is a poet. But I know what
you mean. There's something better even than to be a gentleman."

"One may be an angel,--as you are, Polly."

"Oh,--me;--I'm not thinking of myself. I'm thinking of Ontario
Moggs,--going into Parliament. But then he is so clever!"

Ralph was not minded to be cut out by Moggs, junior, after coming all
the way to Margate after his lady-love. The thing was to be done, and
he would do it. But not to-night. Then he took Polly home, and eat
prawns with Mr. and Mrs. Neefit. On the next day they all went out
together in a boat.

The week was nearly over, and Ralph had renewed his suit more than
once, when the breeches-maker proceeded to "put him through his
facings." "She's a-coming round, ain't she, Captain?" said Mr.
Neefit. By this time Ralph hated the sight of Neefit so thoroughly,
that he was hardly able to repress the feeling. Indeed, he did not
repress it. Whether