Project Gutenberg Complete Works of Winston Churchill eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 6,366 pages of information about Project Gutenberg Complete Works of Winston Churchill.

Project Gutenberg Complete Works of Winston Churchill eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 6,366 pages of information about Project Gutenberg Complete Works of Winston Churchill.
in the centre of the room, with an outline key beneath it, would have been an appropriate work of art to hang in the state-house, as emblematic of the statesmanship of the past twenty years.  The Honourable Hilary Vane sat at one end in a padded chair; Mr. Manning, the division superintendent, startled out of a meditation, was upright on the end of the bed; Mr. Ridout, the Northeastern’s capital lawyer, was figuring at the other end of the table; the Honourable Brush Bascom was bending over a wide, sad-faced gentleman of some two hundred and fifty pounds who sat at the centre in his shirt-sleeves, poring over numerous sheets in front of him which were covered with names of the five hundred.  This gentleman was the Honourable Edward Doby of Hale, who, with the kind assistance of the other gentlemen above-named, was in this secluded spot making up a list of his committees, undisturbed by eager country members.  At Mr. Crewe’s entrance Mr. Bascom, with great presence of mind, laid down his hat over the principal list, while Mr. Ridout, taking the hint, put the Revised Statutes on the other.  There was a short silence; and the Speaker-to-be, whose pencil had been knocked out of his hand; recovered himself sufficiently to relight an extremely frayed cigar.

Not that Mr. Crewe was in the least abashed.  He chose this opportunity to make a survey of the situation, nodded to Mr. Ridout, and walked up to the padded armchair.

“How are you, Mr. Vane?” he said.  “I thought I’d drop in to shake hands with you, especially as I have business with the Speaker, and heard he was here.  But I’m glad to have met you for many reasons.  I want you to be one of the vice-presidents of the State Economic League—­it won’t cost you anything.  Ridout has agreed to let his name go on.”

The Honourable Hilary, not being an emotional man, merely grunted as he started to rise to his feet.  What he was about to say was interrupted by a timid knock, and there followed another brief period of silence.

“It ain’t anybody,” said Mr. Bascom, and crossing the room, turned the key in the lock.  The timid knock was repeated.

“I suppose you’re constantly interrupted here by unimportant people,” Mr. Crewe remarked.

“Well,” said Mr. Vane, slowly, boring into Mr. Crewe with his eye, “that statement isn’t far out of the way.”

“I don’t believe you’ve ever met me, Mr. Vane.  I’m Humphrey Crewe.  We have a good friend in common in Mr. Flint.”

The Honourable Hilary’s hand passed over Mr. Crewe’s lightly.

“Glad to meet you, Mr. Crewe,” he said, and a faint twinkle appeared in his eye.  “Job has told everybody you were coming down.  Glad to welcome a man of your ahem—­stamp into politics.”

“I’m a plain business man,” answered Mr. Crewe, modestly; “and although I have considerable occupation, I believe that one in my position has duties to perform.  I’ve certain bills—­”

“Yes, yes,” agreed the Honourable Hilary; “do you know Mr. Brush Bascom and Mr. Manning?  Allow me to introduce you,—­and General Doby.”

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Project Gutenberg Complete Works of Winston Churchill from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.