mber,
intimated to him the propriety of standing back in one of the
corners. Our editor turned round upon the man as though he would
bite him;--but he did stand back, meditating an article on the
gross want of attention to the public shown in the lobby of the
House of Commons. Is it possible that any editor should endure any
inconvenience without meditating an article? But the judicious editor
thinks twice of such things. Our editor was still in his wrath when
he saw his prey come forth from the House with a card,--no doubt his
own card. He leaped forward in spite of the policeman, in spite of
any Cerberus, and seized Phineas by the arm. "I want just to have a
few words," he said. He made an effort to repress his wrath, knowing
that the whole world would be against him should he exhibit any
violence of indignation on that spot; but Phineas could see it all in
the fire of his eye.

"Certainly," said Phineas, retiring to the side of the lobby, with a
conviction that the distance between him and the House was already
sufficient.

"Can't you come down into Westminster Hall?"

"I should only have to come up again. You can say what you've got to
say here."

"I've got a great deal to say. I never was so badly treated in my
life;--never." He could not quite repress his voice, and he saw that
a policeman looked at him. Phineas saw it also.

"Because we have hindered you from publishing an untrue and very
slanderous letter about a lady!"

"You promised me that you'd come to me yesterday."

"I think not. I think I said that you should hear from me,--and you
did."

"You call that truth,--and honesty!"

"Certainly I do. Of course it was my first duty to stop the
publication of the letter."

"You haven't done that yet."

"I've done my best to stop it. If you have nothing more to say I'll
wish you good evening."

"I've a deal more to say. You were shot at, weren't you?"

"I have no desire to make any communication to you on anything that
has occurred, Mr. Slide. If I stayed with you all the afternoon I
could tell you nothing more. Good evening."

"I'll crush you," said Quintus Slide, in a stage whisper; "I will, as
sure as my name is Slide."

Phineas looked at him and retired into the House, whither Quintus
Slide could not follow him, and the editor of the _People's Banner_
was left alone in his anger.

"How a cock can crow on his own dunghill!" That was Mr. Slide's
first feeling, as with a painful sense of dim