“All right.  How shall I deal with Liversedge?  I go there this evening, you remember.”

“Sound him, if opportunity offers.  No hurry, you know.  We have probably several months before us.  You’ll have to live here a good deal.”

As the rain had ceased, they presently went out into the garden and strolled aimlessly about.

CHAPTER VII

No sooner had Mr. Liversedge become aware of his brother-in-law’s promise to appear on the platform, than he despatched a note to Mr. Wykes, recommending exceptional industry in spreading the announcement.  These addresses were not commonly of a kind to excite much interest, nor had the name of Mr. Denzil Quarrier any prestige in Polterham; it occasioned surprise when messengers ran about the town distributing handbills, which gave a general invitation (independent of membership) to that evening’s lecture at the Institute.  At the doors of the building itself was a large placard, attracting the eye by its bold inscription:  “Woman:  Her Place in Modern Life”—­so had the title been ultimately shaped.  Politicians guessed at once that something was in the wind, and before the afternoon there was a distinct rumour that this young man from London would be brought forward as Liberal candidate (Radical, said the Tories) in the place of Mr. Liversedge, who had withdrawn his name.  The reading-room was beset.  This chanced to be the day on which the Polterham Liberal newspaper was published, and at the head of its “general” column appeared a long paragraph on the subject under discussion.  “At the moment of going to press, we learn that unforeseen circumstances have necessitated a change in this evening’s programme at the Literary Institute.  The indefatigable Secretary, Mr. Wykes, has been fortunate enough to fill the threatened vacancy, and that in a way which gives promise of a rare intellectual treat.”  Then followed a description of the lecturer (consisting of laudatory generalities), and a few sounding phrases on the subject he had chosen.  Mr. Chown, who came and went twenty times in the course of the day, talked to all and sundry with his familiar vehemence.

“If it is true,” he thundered, “that Tobias Liversedge has already surrendered his place to this young man, I want to know why these things have been done in a corner?  If you ask my opinion, it looks uncommonly like a conspiracy.  The Radical electors of Polterham are not going to be made the slaves of a secret caucus t The choice may be a very suitable one.  I don’t say”——­

“Then wait till we know something definite,” growled Mr. Vawdrey.  “All I can say is that if this Mr. Quarrier is going in for extreme views about women, I’ll have nothing to do with him.”

“What do you mean by ’extreme views’?” screeched a thin man in dirty clothing.

Thereupon began a furious controversy, lasting half an hour. (It may be noted that a card hung in several parts of the room, requesting members not to converse in audible tones.)