ons of his heart, audible to all the
people. How had Cobden begun his career,--and Bright? Had it not
been in this way? Why should not he be as great,--greater than
either;--greater, because in these coming days a man of the people
would be able to wield a power more extensive than the people had
earned for themselves in former days? And then, as he walked alone
through the streets, he took to making speeches,--some such speeches
as he would make when he stood up in his place in the House of
Commons as the member for Percycross. The honourable member for
Percycross! There was something ravishing in the sound. Would not
that sound be pleasant to the ears of Polly Neefit?

But then, was not the thing as distant as it was glorious? How could
he be member for Percycross, seeing that in all matters he was
subject to his father? His father hated the very name of the Cheshire
Cheese, and was, in every turn and feeling of his life, diametrically
opposed to his son's sentiments. He would, nevertheless, go to his
father and demand assistance. If on such an occasion as this his
father should give him a stone when he asked for bread, he and his
father must be two! "If, when such a prospect as this is held out to
his son, he cannot see it," said Ontario, "then he can see nothing!"
But yet he was sure that his father wouldn't see it.

To his extreme astonishment Mr. Moggs senior did see it. It was some
time before Mr. Moggs senior clearly understood the proposition which
was made to him, but when he did he became alive to the honour,--and
perhaps profit,--of having a member of his firm in Parliament. Of
politics in the abstract Mr. Moggs senior knew very little. Nor,
indeed, did he care much. In matters referring to trade he was a
Conservative, because he was a master. He liked to be able to manage
his people, and to pay 5_s._ 3_d._ instead of 5_s._ 8_d._ for the
making of a pair of boots. He hated the Cheshire Cheese because his
son went there, and because his son entertained strange and injurious
ideas which were propagated at that low place. But if the Cheshire
Cheese would send his son to Parliament, Mr. Moggs did not know
but what the Cheshire Cheese might be very well. At any rate, he
undertook to pay the bills, if Ontario, his son, were brought forward
as a candidate for the borough. He lost his head so completely in the
glory of the thing, that it never occurred to him to ask what might
be the probable amount of the expendi