or his bread."

"A very disagreeable old man," said Sir Thomas, when they had left
the house, thinking that as Mr. Trigger had been grossly insulted by
the bootmaker he would probably coincide in this opinion.

But Mr. Trigger knew his townsman well, and was used to him. "He's
better than some of 'em, Sir Thomas. He'll do as much as he says, and
more. Now there was that chap Spicer at the mustard works. They say
Westmacott people are after him, and if they can make it worth his
while he'll go over. There's some talk about Apothecary's Hall;--I
don't know what it is. But you couldn't buy old Pile if you were to
give him the Queen and all the Royal family to make boots for."

This was to have been the last of Sir Thomas's preliminary visits
among the leading Conservatives of the borough, but as they were
going back to the "Percy Standard,"--for such was the name of the
Blue inn in the borough,--Mr. Trigger saw a gentleman in black
standing at an open hall door, and immediately proposed that they
should just say a word or two to Mr. Pabsby. "Wesleyan minister,"
whispered the Percycross bear-leader into the ear of his bear;--"and
has a deal to say to many of the men, and more to the women. Can't
say what he'll do;--split his vote, probably." Then he introduced
the two men, explaining the cause of Sir Thomas's presence in the
borough. Mr. Pabsby was delighted to make the acquaintance of Sir
Thomas, and asked the two gentlemen into the house. In truth he was
delighted. The hours often ran heavily with him, and here there was
something for him to do. "You'll give us a help, Mr. Pabsby?" said
Mr. Trigger. Mr. Pabsby smiled and rubbed his hands, and paused and
laid his head on one side.

"I hope he will," said Sir Thomas, "if he is of our way cf thinking,
otherwise I should be sorry to ask him." Still Mr. Pabsby said
nothing;--but he smiled very sweetly, and laid his head a little
lower.

[Illustration: Still Mr. Pabsby said nothing;--but he smiled
very sweetly, and laid his head a little lower.]

"He knows we're on the respectable side," said Mr. Trigger. "The
Wesleyans now are most as one as the Church of England,--in the way
of not being roughs and rowdies." Sir Thomas, who did not know Mr.
Pabsby, was afraid that he would be offended at this; but he showed
no sign of offence as he continued to rub his hands. Mr. Pabsby was
meditating his speech.

"We're a little hurried, Mr. Pabsby," said Mr. Trigger; "perhaps