Page:The time spirit; a romantic tale (IA timespiritromant00snaiiala).pdf/141

 it would be the part of wisdom to waste a little of her time.

"'Government of the people, by the people, for the people,'" lisped the siren, "that, of course, as you may know, is what Sir Dugald stands for."

"Does he!" reflected Joe. With a roguish smile he looked the speaker over from her expensive top to her equally expensive toe.

"You do believe in the people?" said the siren with a rather dubious air.

"Since you ask the question, miss," said Joe, "I am bound to say I don't, and never have done."

"Not believe in the people!" It didn't seem possible.

"If you'd seen as much of the people as I have, miss," said Joe grimly, "I'm thinking you'd not be quite so set up with 'em."

The tone of conviction disconcerted the fair canvasser. Somehow she had not expected it. In the course of her present ministrations it was the first time she had met that point of view. Laxton's working-class, which for several days had been honored by her delicate flatteries, had shown such a robust faith in itself and had purred so responsively to her blandishments that she now took for granted that in all circumstances it would fully share her own enthusiasm for it. But this rubicund, coatless Briton, with eyes of half truculent humor, was a little beyond her. Gloves were needed to handle him; otherwise fingers of such flowerlike delicacy stood a chance of being bruised.

"May one ask what you have against them?" lisped the people's champion, opening large round eyes.

"Nothing particular, miss," said Joe urbanely. "But