still
I would persevere, even though I might be destined to fall in the
attempt. Though the wife of my bosom and the son of my loins should
turn against me, and embitter my last moments by their enmity, still
would I persevere. When they came to speak of the vices and the
virtues of President Neverbend,--to tell of his weakness and his
strength,--it should never be said of him that he had been deterred
by fear of the people from carrying out the great measure which he
had projected solely for their benefit.

Comforted by this resolve, I went into Mrs Neverbend's parlour,
where I found her son Jack sitting with her. They had evidently been
talking about Jack's speech in the market-place; and I could see that
the young orator's brow was still flushed with the triumph of the
moment. "Father," said he, immediately, "you will never be able to
deposit old Crasweller. People won't let you do it."

"The people of Britannula," I said, "will never interfere to prevent
their magistrate from acting in accordance with the law."

"Bother!" said Mrs Neverbend. When my wife said "bother," it was, I
was aware, of no use to argue with her. Indeed, Mrs Neverbend is a
lady upon whom argument is for the most part thrown away. She forms
her opinion from the things around her, and is, in regard to domestic
life, and to her neighbours, and to the conduct of people with whom
she lives, almost invariably right. She has a quick insight, and an
affectionate heart, which together keep her from going astray. She
knows how to do good, and when to do it. But to abstract argument,
and to political truth, she is wilfully blind. I felt it to be
necessary that I should select this opportunity for making Jack
understand that I would not fear his opposition; but I own that I
could have wished that Mrs Neverbend had not been present on the
occasion.

"Won't they?" said Jack. "That's just what I fancy they will do."

"Do you mean to say that it is what you wish them to do,--that you
think it right that they should do it?"

"I don't think Crasweller ought to be deposited, if you mean that,
father."

"Not though the law requires it?" This I said in a tone of authority.
"Have you formed any idea in your own mind of the subjection to the
law which is demanded from all good citizens? Have you ever bethought
yourself that the law should be in all things--"

"Oh, Mr President, pray do not make a speech here," said my wife. "I
shall never understand it, an