Page:Roy Norton--The unknown Mr Kent.djvu/206

 When, mortified, she had reproached him for this lack of dignity, the king had casually replied, "To the deuce with it! Say, I've got something that beats all that, and from now on I'm going every night I can find time. What I've found out is that the people like me. There was a baker down there, and his name was Pete; sort of a man of affairs, I think, who is on the city council, and he made a speech. In a cafe, it was, and I had to make a speech. Kent says that I did well. Says I've got them all buffaloed, whatever that is. Says I've got the makings, whatever that is, of a fine orator. And next week I'm going to a banquet given by the ironmongers' guild, and Kent says that after this when there's a decree to be read, he wants me to go and read it myself. He says I'm a—what is it that he calls it in English? Oh, yes, I'm a good mixer. Kent says I've got to learn how to get acquainted with every one, and yet keep my dignity. Says I must never let any one talk about state affairs, but that I must make them feel that they can come to me when they are in trouble. Says I can get them so that they would die to the man if I asked them to."

"What else did this wonderful Mr. Kent advise?" she asked.

"Said I must never permit any familiarity, but must make them feel that we are all working together to make Marken great; that as the head of [202]