d thinking of something else.
No, it's not a thing to worry about politically, for it won't come
through."

The squire's words suggested so much relief in that conviction that
Farquharson, sharp on the flair of the experienced nose for waverers,
looked at him observantly.

"I'm not so sure It's a doctrine with a fine practical application for
them as well as for us, if they can be got to see it, and they're bound
to see it in time. It's a thing I never expected to live to believe,
never thought would be practicable until lately, but now I think there's
a very good chance of it. And, hang it all," he added, "it may be
unreasonable, but the more I notice the Yankees making propositions to
get us away from it, the more I want to see it come through."

"I have very much the same feeling," the squire acknowledged. "I've been
turning the matter over a good deal since that last Conference showed
which way the wind was blowing. And the fellows in your Government gave
them a fine lead. But such a proposition was bound to come from your
side. The whole political history of the country shows it. We're pledged
to take care of the damned industries."

Farquharson smiled at the note of depression. "Well, we want a bigger
market somewhere," he said with detachment "and it looks as if we could
get it now Uncle Sam has had a fright. If the question comes to be
fought out at the polls, I don't see how your party could do better
than go in for a wide scheme of reciprocity with the Americans--in raw
products, of course with a tariff to match theirs on manufactured goods.
That would shut a pretty tight door on British connection though."

"They'll not get my vote if they do," said the squire, thrusting his
hands fiercely into his breeches pockets.

"As you say, it's most important to put up a man who will show the
constituency all the credit and benefit there is in it, anyhow,"
Farquharson observed. "I've had a letter this morning," he added,
laughing, "from a fellow--one of the bosses, too--who wants us to
nominate young Murchison."

"The lawyer?"

"That's the man. He's too young, of course--not thirty. But he's well
known in the country districts; I don't know a man of his age with a
more useful service record. He's got a lot of friends, and he's come a
good deal to the front lately through that inter-imperial communications
business--we might do worse. And upon my word, we're in such a hole--"

"Farquharson," said old Squire O