could do it."

"I hope that there is no consideration as to health which debars you
from this very desirable exercise, Mr Riddell," said Mrs Patrick. "I
beg your pardon," said Riddell, who did not quite take it in. Mrs
Patrick never liked being asked to repeat her speeches. She flattered
herself they were lucid enough to need no second delivery. She
therefore repeated her remark slowly and in precisely the same words and
tone--

"I hope that there is no consideration as to health which debars you
from this very desirable exercise, Mr Riddell?"

Riddell took half a moment to consider, and then replied, triumphantly,
"I'm quite well, thank you, ma'am."

"I am pleased to hear that," said Mrs Patrick, rather icily, for this
last observation had seemed to her a little rude. "Very," chimed in
Miss Stringer.

After this there was a silence, which Riddell devoutly hoped might last
till it was time to go. Had the ladies not been there he would have
liked very much to speak to the doctor about school matters, and the
doctor, but for the same cause, would have wished to talk to his head
boy. But it was evident this tea-table was not the place for such
conversation.

"I hear," said the doctor, after the pause had continued some time,
addressing his sister-in-law, "there is likely to be an election in
Shellport before long; Sir Abraham is retiring."

"Indeed, you surprise me," said Miss Stringer. "It is unexpected," said
the doctor, "but it is thought there will be a sharp contest for the
seat."

"And are you a Liberal or a Conservative, Mr Riddell?" asked Mrs
Patrick, thinking it time that unfortunate youth was again tempted into
the conversation.

"A Liberal, ma'am," replied Riddell. "Oh! boys are generally
Conservatives, are they not?" She asked this question in a tone as if
she expected him to try to deceive her in his answer. However, he
evaded it by replying bashfully, "I hope not."

"And pray," said Miss Stringer, putting down her cup, and turning full
on her victim, "will you favour us with your reasons for such a hope,
Mr Riddell?"

Poor Riddell! he little thought what he had let himself in for. If
there was one subject the two ladies were rabid on it was politics.
They proceeded to pounce upon, devour, and annihilate the unlucky head
classic without mercy. They made him contradict himself twice or thrice
in every sentence; they proved to him clearly that he knew nothing at
all of what he was t