tempted to go to bed and ask for a bowl of
gruel. Nothing kept him from doing so but amazement at the courage
and endurance of Mr. Griffenbottom. "We could get at a few of
those chaps who were at the works, if we went out at eight," said
Griffenbottom. Trigger suggested that Mr. Griffenbottom would be
very tired. Trigger himself was perhaps tired. "Oh, tired," said
Griffenbottom; "a man has to be tired at this work." Sir Thomas
perceived that Griffenbottom was at least ten years his senior,
and that he was still almost lame from the gout. "You'll be ready,
Underwood?" said Griffenbottom. Sir Thomas felt himself bound to
undertake whatever might be thought necessary. "If we were at it
day and night, it wouldn't be too much," said Griffenbottom, as he
prepared to amuse himself with one of the poll-books till dinner
should be on the table. "Didn't we see Jacob Pucky?" asked the
energetic candidate, observing that the man's name wasn't marked. "To
be sure we did. I was speaking to him myself. He was one of those
who didn't know till the day came. We know what that means; eh,
Honeywood?" Sir Thomas wasn't quite sure that he did know; but he
presumed that it meant something dishonest. Again Mr. Trigger dined
with them, and as soon as ever their dinner was swallowed they were
out again at their work, Sir Thomas being dragged from door to door,
while Griffenbottom asked for the votes.

And this was to last yet for ten days more!

CHAPTER XXVI.

MOGGS, PURITY, AND THE RIGHTS OF LABOUR.

Mr. Trigger had hinted that Ontario Moggs would be a thorn in the
flesh of Mr. Westmacott's supporters at Percycross, and he had
been right. Ontario was timid, hesitating, and not unfrequently
brow-beaten in the social part of his work at the election. Though he
made great struggles he could neither talk, nor walk, nor eat, nor
sit, as though he were the equal of his colleague. But when they came
to politics and political management, there was no holding him. He
would make speeches when speeches were not held to be desirable by
his committee, and he was loud upon topics as to which it was thought
that no allusion whatever should have been made. To talk about the
ballot had from the first been conceded to Moggs. Mr. Westmacott
was, indeed, opposed to the ballot; but it had been a matter
of course that the candidate of the people should support that
measure. The ballot would have been a safety-valve. But Moggs was so
cross-grained, il