He did not look at his wife.  Coming to a garden-seat, he put up one foot upon it, and brushed the cigar ash against the back.  Adela sat down; she had not replied at once, and was thoughtful.

‘As a Socialist candidate?’ she asked, when at length he turned his eyes to her.

’Well, I don’t know.  Radical rather, I should think.  It would come to the same thing, of course, and there’d be no use in spoiling the thing for the sake of a name.’

Adela had a Japanese fan in her hand; she put it against her forehead, and still seemed to consider.

‘Do you think you could find time for Parliament?’

’That has to be thought of, of course; but by then I should think we might arrange it.  There’s not much that Rodman can’t see to.’

‘You are inclined to think of it?’

Adela’s tone to her husband was not one of tenderness, but of studious regard and deference.  She very seldom turned her eyes to his, but there was humility in her bent look.  If ever he and she began to speak at the same time, she checked herself instantly, and Mutimer had no thought of giving her precedence.  This behaviour in his wife struck him as altogether becoming.

‘I almost think I am,’ he replied.  ’I’ve a notion I could give them an idea or two at Westminster.  It would be news to them to hear a man say what he really thinks.’

Adela smiled faintly, but said nothing.

‘Would you like me to be in Parliament?’ Richard asked, putting down his foot and leaning back his head a little.

‘Certainly, if you feel that it is a step gained.’

’That’s just what I think it would be.  Well, we must talk about it again.  By-the-by, I’ve just had to send a fellow about his business.’

‘To discharge a man?’ Adela asked, with pain.

’Yes.  It’s that man Rendal; I was talking about him the other day, you remember.  He’s been getting drunk; I’ll warrant it’s not the first time.’

’And you really must send him away?  Couldn’t you give him another chance?’

’No.  He was impudent to me, and I can’t allow that.  He’ll have to go.’

Richard spoke with decision.  When the fact of impudence was disclosed Adela felt that it was useless to plead.  She looked at her fan and was sorrowful.

‘So you are going to read to the youngsters to-day?’ Mutimer recommenced.

‘Yes; Mr. Wyvern has given me a book that will do very well indeed.’

‘Oh, has he?’ said Richard doubtfully.  ’Is it a religious book?  That kind of thing won’t do, you know.’

‘No, it isn’t religious at all.  Only a book of fairy tales.’

‘Fairy tales!’ There was scorn in his way of repeating the words.  ’Couldn’t you find something useful?  A history book, you know, or about animals, or something of that kind.  We mustn’t encourage them in idle reading.  And that reminds me of Alice.  You really must get her away from those novels.  I can’t make out what’s come to the girl.  She seems to be going off her head.  Did you notice at lunch?—­she didn’t seem to understand what I said to her.  Do try and persuade her to practise, if nothing else.’