At one of the last of his gatherings, in the great, new public room of ‘The Seven Stars,’ Ironsyde had been suddenly confronted with his son.  Abel attended this meeting of his father’s supporters and attempted to interrupt it.  He had arrived primed with words and meant to declare himself before the people; but when the time came, he was nervous and lost his head.  Sitting and listening grew to an agony.  He could not wait till question time and felt a force within him crying to him, to get upon his feet and finish the thing he had planned to do.  But Job, who was among the stewards, kept watchful eyes upon the benches, and Abel had hardly stood up, when he recognised him.  Before the boy had shouted half a dozen incoherent words, Mr. Legg and a policeman were at his side.

He sat far down the hall and the little disturbance he had been able to create was hardly appreciated.  For Raymond now neared the end of his speech and it had contained matter which aroused attention from all who listened to it, awakened disquiet in some, but enthusiasm among the greater number.  He was telling of such hopes and desires as he and Estelle shared, and though an indifferent speaker, the purity of his ambitions and their far-reaching significance challenged intelligent listeners.

In less than half a minute Abel was removed.  He did not struggle, but his first instinct was great relief to be outside.  Not until later did his reverse breed wrath.  His father had not seen him and when Ironsyde inquired afterwards, what the trouble was, Mr. Legg evaded the facts.  But he looked to it that Abel should be powerless to renew disturbances.  He warned those who controlled the remaining meetings not to admit him, and henceforth kept at the doors a man who knew Abel.  Mr. Legg also saw Sabina, who was now much in Bridport concerned with a little house that she had taken, and the boy’s mother implored him to do no more evil.  To her surprise he admitted that he had been wrong.  But he was dark and stormy.  She saw but little of him and did not know how he occupied his leisure, or spent his wages.

There is no doubt that, at this time, Abel sank out of mind with those most interested in him.  Estelle was entirely preoccupied with the election, and when once the lad’s new work had been determined and he went to do it, Raymond dismissed him for the present from his thoughts.  He felt grateful to Sabina for falling in with his wishes and hoped that, since she was now definitely on his side, a time might soon come when she would be able to influence her son.  Indeed Sabina herself was more hopeful, and when Estelle came to see her in Bridport, declared that Abel kept regular hours and appeared to be interested in his work.