Did Mrs. Shelmerdine really suppose, said Mother in crystal tones, that young men in the position of her husband had no responsibilities to society?
Oh, yes, Mrs. Shelmerdine was quite sure they had, and that was why personally she was so glad he had decided to throw in his lot with the party of Progress.
Progress, said Mother—What, pray, is Progress?
The question was rather difficult for a young married woman to answer. But fortunately it appeared that Phil-ipp was not depending wholly upon dialectics in the coming battle.
"I am sorry to hear it," said Mother.
Yes, that was rather subtle for Mother.
"I suppose you feel, Lady Shelmerdine," said the young wife, "that if he depended entirely on his mental powers he would have no chance of getting in."
Mother ignored the question, perhaps a little pointedly.
Well, it seemed that Phil-ipp had several other strings to his bow.
Mother had implicit faith, however, in the essential good sense of her countrymen in the Midlands. They were such shrewd people in the Midlands; and Mother hoped and believed they would demand qualities more positive than those guaranteed by the fact that the Rag candidate was the eldest son of a distinguished father.
Mischief agreed; but if the Candidate was able to
