Place in Modern Life"--so had the title been
ultimately shaped. Politicians guessed at once that something was in
the wind, and before the afternoon there was a distinct rumour that
this young man from London would be brought forward as Liberal
candidate (Radical, said the Tories) in the place of Mr. Liversedge,
who had withdrawn his name. The reading-room was beset. This chanced to
be the day on which the Polterham Liberal newspaper was published, and
at the head of its "general" column appeared a long paragraph on the
subject under discussion. "At the moment of going to press, we learn
that unforeseen circumstances have necessitated a change in this
evening's programme at the Literary Institute. The indefatigable
Secretary, Mr. Wykes, has been fortunate enough to fill the threatened
vacancy, and that in a way which gives promise of a rare intellectual
treat." Then followed a description of the lecturer (consisting of
laudatory generalities), and a few sounding phrases on the subject he
had chosen. Mr. Chown, who came and went twenty times in the course of
the day, talked to all and sundry with his familiar vehemence.

"If it is true," he thundered, "that Tobias Liversedge has already
surrendered his place to this young man, I want to know why these
things have been done in a corner? If you ask my opinion, it looks
uncommonly like a conspiracy. The Radical electors of Polterham are not
going to be made the slaves of a secret caucus! The choice may be a
very suitable one. I don't say"----

"Then wait till we know something definite," growled Mr. Vawdrey. "All
I can say is that if this Mr. Quarrier is going in for extreme views
about women, I'll have nothing to do with him."

"What do you mean by 'extreme views'?" screeched a thin man in dirty
clothing.

Thereupon began a furious controversy, lasting half an hour. (It may be
noted that a card hung in several parts of the room, requesting members
not to converse in audible tones.)

Mr. Liversedge had gone to work like a man of decision. Between six and
eight on the previous evening he had seen the members of that "secret
caucus" whose existence outraged Mr. Chown--in other words, the
half-dozen capable citizens who practically managed the affairs of
Liberal Polterham--and had arrived at an understanding with them which
made it all but a settled thing that Denzil Quarrier should be their
prospective candidate. Tobias was eager to back out of the engagement
into whic