self-confidentmannerhepooh-poohedher,andlaughedwhenshereadthemherselfsoastobeabletoteachhim.
“Idon’twanttoknowallthatrot,”hecried.“Allamanwantsisgumption.Why,d’yousupposeamanwhogoesinforparliamentknowsanythingaboutpolitics?Ofcoursehedoesn’t.”
Berthawasindignantthatherhusbandshouldbesowellsatisfiedinhisilliteracy,andthathestoutlyrefusedtolearn.Itisonlywhenamanknowsagooddealthathediscovershowunfathomableishisignorance.Edward,knowingsolittle,wasconvincedthattherewaslittletoknow,andconsequentlyfeltquiteassuredthatheknewallwhichwasnecessary.Hemightmoreeasilyhavebeenpersuadedthatthemoonwasmadeofgreencheesethanthathelackedtheveryrudimentsofknowledge.
TheCountyCouncilelectionsinLondonwerealsobeingheldatthattime,andBertha,hopingtogiveEdwardusefulhints,diligentlyreadtheoratorywhichtheyoccasioned.Butherefusedtolisten.
“Idon’twanttocribothermen’sstuff.I’mgoingtotalkonmyown.”
“Whydon’tyouwriteoutaspeechandgetitbyheart?”
Berthafanciedthatsoshemightinfluencehimalittleandspareherselfandhimthehumiliationofutterridicule.
“OldBacotsayswhenhemakesaspeech,healwaystruststothespurofthemoment.HesaysthatFoxmadehisbestspeecheswhenhewasblinddrunk.”
“D’youknowwhoFoxwas?”askedBertha.
“Someoldbufferorotherwhomadespeeches.”
ThedayarrivedwhenEdwardforthefirsttimewastoaddresshisconstituents,intheBlackstabletown-hallandforaweekpastplacardshadbeenpastedoneverywallanddisplayedineveryshop,announcingthegladnews.Mr.BacotcametoCourtLeys,rubbinghishands.
“Weshallhaveafullhouse.It’llbeabigsuccess.ThehallwillholdfourhundredpeopleandIthinktherewon’tbestandingroom.Idaresayyou’llhavetoaddressanoverflowmeetingattheForrestersHallafterwards.”
“I’lladdressanynumberofmeetingsyoulike,”repliedEdward.
Berthagrewmoreandmorenervous.Sheanticipatedahorriblecollapsetheydidnotknow—asshedid—howlimitedwasEdward’sintelligence!Shewantedtostayatho