poration; Mr. Vawdrey, coal-merchant; and Mr. Murgatroyd,
dentist. The draper--tall, bearded, with goggle eyes and prominent
cheek-bones--had just rushed in; as soon as Mr. Wykes had spoken, he
exclaimed in a hard, positive voice:

"It's nothing! it's nothing! I have it on the best assurance that it
was only a fall over a footstool. Muscles strained--a bruise or
two--nothing worse."

"I'm very glad to hear it, on every ground," said Wykes. "But even if
that is quite correct, it'll be a warning. A fall at that age generally
dates the beginning of decrepitude. He won't come forward again--I'm
convinced he won't."

"Let us hope they'll be foolish enough to set up his son," remarked Mr.
Vawdrey, in deep tones, which harmonized with his broad, stunted body
and lowering visage. "It'll be their ruin."

Mr. Wykes agreed.

"The waverers can hardly doubt--between Tobias Liversedge and Hugh
Welwyn-Baker."

"Bear in mind," rang Mr. Chown's brassy voice, "that it's by no means
certain Liversedge is to be our candidate. I am in a position to assure
you that many of our most reliable men are not at all satisfied with
that choice--not at all satisfied. I don't mind going so far as to
declare that I share this dissatisfaction."

"Really," put in Mr. Murgatroyd, the dentist, "it's rather late in the
day, Mr. Chown"----

His accents of studious moderation were interrupted by a shout from the
dogmatic draper.

"Late? late? I consider that nothing whatever has been decided. I
protest--I protest, most emphatically, against any attempt to force a
candidate on the advanced section of the Liberal party! I will even go
so far as to say--purely on my own responsibility--that the advanced
section of the Liberal party is the _essence_ of the Liberal party, and
must be recognized as such, if we are to fight this campaign in union.
I personally--I speak for myself--do _not_ feel prepared to vote for
Tobias Liversedge. I say it boldly, caring not who may report my words.
I compromise no man, and no body of men; but my view is that, if we are
to win the next election against the Tory candidate, it must be with
the help, and in the name, of a _Radical_ candidate!"

At the close of each period Mr. Chown raised his hand and made it
vibrate in the air, his head vibrating in company therewith. His eyes
glared, and his beard wagged up and down.

"Speaking as an individual," replied Mr. Murgatroyd, who, among other
signs of nervousness, had the