ese old creatures for their vote. I'd rather plug them under the
jaw."

Mr Oscar Lawyer having introduced the speaker, he came forward, and
after explaining it was his first appearance in politics, charmingly
proceeded, "I hope I shall not bore you with my remarks as I
endeavour to outline the various planks in the platform of the party
to which I have the honour to belong."

Quite superfluous for him to explain that he was a new chum in
politics. Only a fledgling from a Brussels or Axminster carpeted
reception-room would stand on the hustings and publish a fear that he
might be boring his audience. One familiar with the trade of
electioneering, as it has always been conducted by men, would strut
and shout and brag, never for a moment worrying whether or not he came
anywhere near the truth or feeling the slightest qualm, though he
deafened his hearers with his trumpeting or bored them to complete
extinction, and would refuse to be silenced even by "eggs of great
antiquity."

"Les. ought to stick to society," observed his step-brother; "flipping
around a drawing-room and making all the girls think they were equally
in the running was more in his line."

"He's a nice, clean, good-looking young fellow at any rate, and
doesn't look as if he gorged himself--hasn't that red-faced, stuffed
look," said Dawn. "If I had a vote I'd give it to him just for that,
as I'm sick of these red-nosed old members of parliament with
corporations."

"He's the real lah-de-dah Johnny, isn't he?" laughed "Dora" Eweword.

"Don't you say he's any relation of mine," said Ernest. "It would give
me away, and he thinks I'm in Melbourne. I told every one that's where
I was bound. I hope he won't catch sight of me."

There was little fear of this; one has to be accustomed to facing a
crowd before they can distinguish faces.

After the meeting, which dispersed early, Ernest and I hurried out
into the galvanised iron-walled yard, in which those coming from a
distance put their horses and vehicles.

Having noted the disconsolate manner in which a pair of dark eyes
below a thatch of generous hue surreptitiously glanced towards a
tormentatious maiden with ribbons of blue matching her eyes and
fluttering on her bosom, I thought it time to come to his rescue.

"If you would care to talk to your friend, he can drive you home while
I walk with 'Dora'; he says he has something to say to me," said Dawn
in an aside.

"Are you sure you want to hear it