strawberries, even took the modestly depreciatory attitude of the
host. "They're a fair size for this country, ma'am, but if you want
berries with a flavour we'll do better for you in the Niagara district."

It must be added that Cruickshank lunched with Wallingham at his club,
and with Tricorne at his; and on both occasions the quiet and attentive
young secretary went with him, for purposes of reference, his pocket
bulging with memoranda. The young secretary felt a little embarrassed
to justify his presence at Tricorne's lunch, as the Right Honourable
gentleman seemed to have forgotten what his guests had come for beyond
it, and talked exclusively and exhaustively about the new possibilities
for fruit-farming in England. Cruickshank fairly shook himself into
his overcoat with irritation afterward. "It's the sort of thing we must
except," he said, as they merged upon Pall Mall. It was not the sort of
thing Lorne expected; but we know him unsophisticated and a stranger
to the heart of the Empire, which beats through such impediment
of accumulated tissue. Nor was it the sort of thing they got from
Wallingham, the keen-eyed and probing, whose skill in adjusting
conflicting interests could astonish even their expectation, and whose
vision of the essentials of the future could lift even their enthusiasm.
One would like to linger over their touch with Wallingham, that fusion
of energy with energy, that straight, satisfying, accomplishing dart.
There is more drama here; no doubt, than in all the pages that are to
come. But I am explaining now how little, not how much, the Cruickshank
deputation, and especially Lorne Murchison, had the opportunity of
feeling and learning in London, in order to show how wonderful it was
that Lorne felt and learned so widely. That, what he absorbed and
took back with him is, after all, what we have to do with; his actual
adventures are of no great importance.

The deputation to urge improved communications within the Empire had few
points of contact with the great world, but its members were drawn
into engagements of their own, more, indeed, than some of them could
conveniently overtake. Mr Bates never saw his niece in the post-office,
and regrets it to this day. The engagements arose partly out of business
relations. Poulton who was a dyspeptic, complained that nothing could be
got through in London without eating and drinking; for his part he would
concede a point any time not to eat and drink