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"Look here, Sir Thomas Underwood," said Mr. Griffenbottom. "This to me is a very important matter." "And to me also," said Sir Thomas. "I do not know anything about that. Like a good many others, you may like to have a seat in Parliament, and may like to get it without any trouble and without any money.
"The big loaf; that's what we want," said one mother of many children, taking Sir Thomas by the hand. There were some who took advantage of the occasion to pour out their tales of daily griefs into the ears of their visitors. To these Griffenbottom was rather short and hard. "What we want, my dear, is your husband's vote and interest. We'll hear all the rest another time."
But the foolish men prevailed over the wise men, and it was decided that there should be a contest. It was an evil day for Griffenbottom when it was suggested to him that he should bring a colleague with him. Griffenbottom knew what this meant almost as well as the learned pundit whose words we have quoted.
In every house they entered Griffenbottom was at home, and Sir Thomas was a stranger of whom the inmates had barely heard the name. Griffenbottom was very good at canvassing the poorer classes. He said not a word to them about politics, but asked them all whether they didn't dislike that fellow Gladstone, who was one thing one day and another thing another day.
Griffenbottom, "it seems that after all we are to have these d petitions." Sir Thomas lifted his left foot on his right knee, and nursed his leg, but said nothing. On one point he was resolved; nothing on earth should induce him to call his colleague Griffenbottom. "No doubt about that, Mr. Griffenbottom," said Mr. Pile, " that is, unless we can make Westmacott right.
Griffenbottom had assumed a look of absolute indifference, and was sitting with his eyes fixed upon the ceiling. Mr. Trigger, with a pleasant smile on his face, was leaning back in his chair with his hands in his trousers pockets. He had done his disagreeable job of work, and upon the whole he thought that he had done it well. "I shall do nothing of the kind," said Sir Thomas at last.
Griffenbottom, "but I don't take delight in spending money for nothing. I have spent enough, I can tell you, and I don't mean to spend much more. My seat was as safe as the Church." "But they have petitioned against that as well as mine," said Sir Thomas. "Yes; they have. And now what's to be done?"
This he should do in his report to the Speaker, and should also advise that a commission be held with the view of ascertaining whether the privilege of returning members of Parliament should remain with the borough. With Griffenbottom he dealt as tenderly as he did with Sir Thomas, sending them both forth to the world, unseated indeed, but as innocent, injured men.
I do like old Griffenbottom," said Spiveycomb, the paper-maker. On the day of nomination Griffenbottom was carried up on the hustings. This carrying did him good in the borough; but it should be acknowledged on his behalf that he did his best to walk. In the extreme agony of his attack he had to make his speech, and he made it.
And now he was told of all that the borough had done for him, and was requested to show his gratitude by giving up his seat, in order that Griffenbottom might still be a member of Parliament, and that Percycross might not be disfranchised! Did he feel any gratitude to Percycross or any love to Mr. Griffenbottom? In his heart he desired that Mr.
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