Page:Outlawandlawmak00praegoog.djvu/27

Rh you to make a fuss about it in the House. And then if the Governor does not give balls enough you will be responsible for not voting a sufficient entertaining allowance. And of course when you become a Cabinet Minister we shall want you to look after us at the public functions—find us seats in the special saloon Government carriage when there's a Show or a Railway Opening. And we shall want to be asked to all the Government picnics down the bay. Oh, and I must insist on a seat on the dais—and no one looking askance at me as though I had no right to be there—at the Mayor's ball. And I always did want to be a Minister's wife, so that the Usher of the Black Rod might take me to my place at the Opening of Parliament."

"One might suggest, perhaps, that an opportunity may present itself of securing these advantages," said Hallett grimly.

"How?"

"Why" Hallett reddened and stammered, abashed by her clear gaze. "It would not be so difficult to marry a Minister, would it?"

"Wouldn't it! But there doesn't happen at present to be an unmarried member of the Executive. Still, as you suggest, one may live in hope. There will be new politicians coming on, and I may have a chance yet. I will wait for a change of Ministry. Then your party will be in—and you may be in too."

Her laugh, which was innocent and frank as that of a child, robbed her speech of its audacious coquetry. Elsie said things which no other girl could have said without incurring the charge of being unmaidenly. No one would ever have called Elsie unmaidenly, though they might have called her, and with a good show of reason, an unprincipled flirt, and in spite of her freedom of manner no man would have ventured upon an impertinence towards this young lady, who knew very well upon occasion how to maintain her dignity.

"You are laughing at me," exclaimed Frank Hallett in a hurt tone. "You don't think it is in me to become a