mends itself to _our_ man 'of light and leading'--to our
Radical candidate--to our future member, Mr. Denzil Quarrier!"

A burst of cheering echoed from the drapery-laden shelves. Two
servant-girls who had come to the door intent on purchase of hair-pins
ran frightened away, and spread a report that Mr. Chown's shop was on
fire.

At dinner-time the politician was faced by his angry wife.

"I know what the end of _this_'ll be!" cried Mrs. Chown. "You're
ruining your business, that's what you're doing! Who do you think'll
come to the shop if they find it full of shouting ragamuffins? They'll
all go to Huxtable's, that's what they'll do! I've no patience"----

"There's no need to declare _that_!" replied Mr. Chown, rolling his
great eyes at her with an expression of the loftiest scorn. "I have
known it for thirteen years. You will be so good as to attend to your
own affairs, and leave _me_ to see to _mine_! What does a woman care
for the interests of the country? Grovelling sex! Perhaps when I am
called upon to shoulder a rifle and go forth to die on the field of
battle, your dense understanding will begin to perceive what was at
stake.--Not another syllable! I forbid it! Sit down and serve the
potatoes!"

At the same hour Denzil Quarrier, at luncheon with Lilian, was giving
utterance to his feelings on the great topic of the day.

"Now is the time for women to show whether their judgment is worthy of
the least confidence. This letter of Beaconsfield's makes frank appeal
to the spirit of Jingoism; he hopes to get at the fighting side of
Englishmen, and go back to power on a wave of 'Rule, Britannia'
bluster. If it is true that women are to be trusted in politics, their
influence will be overwhelming against such irresponsible ambition. I
have my serious doubts"----

He shook his head and laughed.

"I will do my utmost!" exclaimed Lilian, her face glowing with
sympathetic enthusiasm. "I will go and talk to all the people we
know"----

"Really! You feel equal to that?"

"I will begin this very afternoon! I think I understand the questions
sufficiently. Suppose I begin with Mrs. Powell? She said her husband
had always voted Conservative, but that she couldn't be quite sure what
he would do this time. Perhaps I can persuade her to take our side."

"Have a try! But you astonish me, Lily--you are transformed!"

"Oh, I have felt that I might find courage when the time came." She put
her head aside, and laughed with