"
"Well," said I, "that's Jenkinson's winter occupation--public
oratory--advocacy of social and municipal reform--mostly on Fabian
lines. The man's honest, mind you. . . . But he's finishing. . . .
Come along! Are you for the platform, Jack?"
"Not if I can sit somewhere at your feet and look up at you," said
Foe. "I'm not at all certain that I approve of your candidate,
either, or his political platform--"
"Our Mr. Farrell, Professor? Oh, surely!--" the little steward
expostulated. "But maybe you've never made Mr. Farrell's
acquaintance, sir?"
"Never set eyes on him, to my knowledge," Foe assured him.
"Then, Professor--if I may make bold to say so--it's impossible to
disapprove of Mr. Farrell. He's a bit what-you-might-call
_opportunist_ in his views; but, for the gentleman himself, he
wouldn't hurt a fly--not a headache in a hogshead of him, as the
saying goes. . . . Certainly, Sir Roderick, if you're ready. . . .
Mr. Byles, here, will conduct the Professor to a chair close under
the platform. We usually keep a few front seats vacant, for friends
and--er--eventualities.
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