IFthegods,whoscatterwitinsundryunexpectedplaces,sothatitissometimesfoundbeneaththebishop’smitreand,onceinathousandyears,beneathaking’scrown,hadgivenEdwardtwo-pennyworthofthatcommodity,hewouldundoubtedlyhavebeenagreataswellasagoodman.Fortunesmileduponhimuninterruptedlyheenjoyedtheenvyofhisneighbourshefarmedwithprofit,and,havingtamedtherebelliousspiritofhiswife,herejoicedindomesticfelicity.Anditmustbenoticedthathewasrewardedonlyaccordingtohisdeserts.HewalkedwithuprightspiritandcontentedmindalongthepathwhichithadpleasedamercifulProvidencetosetbeforehim.HewaslightedonthewaybyastrongSenseofDuty,bythePrincipleswhichhehadacquiredathisMother’sKnee,andbyaConvictionofhisownMerit.Finally,adeputationwaitedonhimtoproposethatheshouldstandfortheCountyCouncilelectionwhichwasshortlytobeheld.Hehadbeenunofficiallyinformedoftheproject,andreceivedMr.AtthillBacotwithsevencommitteemen,inhisfrock-coatandamannerfullofresponsibility.Hetoldthemhecoulddonothingrashly,mustconsiderthematter,andwouldinformthemofhisdecision.ButEdwardhadalreadymadeuphismindtoaccept,andhavingshownthedeputationtothedoor,wenttoBertha.
“Thingsarelookingup,”hesaid,havinggivenherthedetails.TheBlackstabledistrictforwhichEdwardwasinvitedtostand,beingcomposedchieflyoffishermen,wasintenselyRadical.“OldBacotsaidIwastheonlyModeratecandidatewho’dhaveachance.”
Berthawastoomuchastonishedtoreply.Shehadsopooranopinionofherhusbandthatshecouldnotunderstandwhyonearththeyshouldmakehimsuchanoffer.Sheturnedoverinhermindpossiblereasons.
“It’sarippingthingforme,isn’tit?”
“Butyou’renotthinkingofaccepting?”
“Not?OfcourseIam.Whatdoyouthink!”Thiswasnotaninquiry,butanexclamation.
“You’venevergoneinforpoliticsyou’venevermadeaspeechinyourlife.”
Shethoughthewouldmakeanabjectfoolofhimself,andforhersake,aswellasforhis,decidedtopreventhimfromstanding.“He’stooignor