uz deplored and abhorred came in useful. He
made a charming girl, his histrionic power was considerable, and on
both accounts he was much in demand at school theatricals; moreover,
his voice had not yet broken, and when he desired to do so he could
speak with lady-like softness and precision.

"Who's the chap that read the second lesson?" he asked Ger, who proudly
walked between the twins on their way from church. Ger adored the
twins.

"He's the muddy young man who came last Sunday," Ger answered promptly.
Proud to be able to afford information, he continued, "His aunt's our
nice Miss Gallup, and he's going to get in at the Election, nurse says."

"Oh, is he?" cried Uz, whose political views were the result of strong
conviction unbiassed by reflection. "We'll see about that."

"I feel," Buz murmured dreamily, "that it is my duty to find out that
young man's views on Female Suffrage. The women in this district
appear to me sadly indifferent as to this important question. It's
doubtful if any of them will tackle him. Now I'm well up in it just
now, owing to that rotten debate last term."

"When that long-winded woman jawed for nearly an hour, d'you mean?"
asked Uz "Exactly. I never dreamt she would come in useful, but you
never know."

"Shall you call?" Uz gurgled delightedly. "Where'll you get the
clothes? Mary's would be too big, besides everyone about here knows
'em, they're so old, and she'd never lend you anything decent.'

"I shouldn't ask her if I really wanted them; but in this instance I
scorn the mouldy garments of Sister Mary."

"Whose'll you get?" Uz asked curiously.

"My son," Buz rejoined, "I shall be like the king's daughter in the
Psalms. Never you fear for my appearance. As our dear French prose
book would remark: 'The grandmother of the young man so attractive has
a maid French, of the heart excellent, and of the habits most chic.'"

"You mean Adele will lend them?"

"You bet. She says I speak her tongue to the marvel, is it not?"

On Boxing-Day Eloquent called upon as many of the vote-possessing
inhabitants of Redmarley as could be got in before his aunt's early
dinner. He found but few at home, for on that morning there is always
a meet in the market-place at Marlehouse, and the male portion of the
inhabitants is sporting both by inclination and tradition. He found
the wives, however, and on the whole they were gracious to him. His
visit pleased, for the then member, Mr