Dick only smiled and shook his head.

'Just so,' resumed Walpole. 'I could not expect you to like this programme,
and I know already all that you allege against it; but, as B. says,
Kearney, the man who rules Ireland must know how to take command of a
ship in a state of mutiny, and yet never suppress the revolt. There's the
problem--as much discipline as you can, as much indiscipline as you
can bear. The brutal old Tories used to master the crew and hang the
ringleaders; and for that matter, they might have hanged the whole ship's
company. We know better, Kearney; and we have so confused and addled them
by our policy, that, if a fellow were to strike his captain, he would never
be quite sure whether he was to be strung up at the gangway or made a
petty-officer. Do you see it now?'

'I can scarcely say that I do see it--I mean, that I see it as _you_ do.'

'I scarcely could hope that you should, or, at least, that you should do
so at once; but now, as to this seat for King's County, I believe we have
already found our man. I'll not be sure, nor will I ask you to regard the
matter as fixed on, but I suspect we are in relations--you know what I
mean--with an old supporter, who has been beaten half-a-dozen times in our
interest, but is coming up once more. I'll ascertain about this positively,
and let you know. And then'--here he drew breath freely and talked more at
ease--'if we should find our hands free, and that we see our way clearly
to support you, what assurance could you give us that you would go through
with the contest, and fight the battle out?'

'I believe, if I engage in the struggle, I shall continue to the end,' said
Dick, half doggedly.

'Your personal pluck and determination I do not question for a moment. Now,
let us see'--here he seemed to ruminate for some seconds, and looked like
one debating a matter with himself. 'Yes,' cried he at last, 'I believe
that will be the best way. I am sure it will. When do you go back, Mr.
Kearney--to Kilgobbin, I mean?'

'My intention was to go down the day after to-morrow.'

'That will be Friday. Let us see, what is Friday? Friday is the 15th, is it
not?'

'Yes.'

'Friday'--muttered the other--'Friday? There's the Education Board, and the
Harbour Commissioners, and something else at--to be sure, a visit to the
Popish schools with Dean O'Mahony. You couldn't make it Saturday, could
you?'

'Not conveniently. I had already arranged a plan for Saturday. But wh