, had never thought of
the matter until quite lately--until they had asked him to receive their
deputation. He had nothing more to say and nothing more to ask. He was
ashamed to have brought them to listen to a reply of so little worth in
any sense; but that was all that he could tell them, and if ever again
he was in a position to do anything, then he could only say that he
hoped to be reminded of his promise.

The deputation went away not only contented but enthusiastic. They quite
understood that their immediate cause was not advanced and could not be
advanced by anything the Dictator could possibly have to say. But they
had been impressed by his sincerity and by his sympathy. They had been
deputed to wait on many a public official, many a head of a department,
many a Secretary of State, many an Under-Secretary. They were familiar
with the stereotyped official answers, the answers that assured them
that the case should have consideration, and that if anything could be
done--well, then, perhaps, something would be done. Possibly no other
answer could have been given. The answer of the unofficial and
irresponsible Dictator promised absolutely nothing; but it had the
musical ring of sincerity and of sympathy about it, and the men grasped
strongly his strong hand, and went away glad that they had seen him.

The Dictator did not usually receive deputations. But he had a great
many requests from deputations that they might be allowed to wait on him
and express their views to him. He was amazed sometimes to find what an
important man he was in the estimation of various great organisations.
Ho was assured by the committee of the Universal Arbitration Society
that, if he would only appear on their platform and deliver a speech,
the cause of universal arbitration would be secured, and public war
would go out of fashion in the world as completely as the private duel
has gone out of fashion in England. Of course, he was politely pressed
to receive a deputation on behalf of several societies interested on one
side or the other of the great question of Woman's Suffrage. The
teetotallers and Local Optionists of various forms solicited the favour
of a talk with him. The trade associations and the licensed victuallers
eagerly desired to get at his views. The letters he received on the
subject of the hours of labour interested him a great deal, and he tried
to grapple with their difficulties, but soon found he could make little
of th