The Argosy — page 258: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

244 | A Secret of the Sea. line of argument which you would adopt in stating your case to the House ; and having divided your subject into two or three different heads, you would have, finally, to work up the various points in the most effective manner possible, taking care to conclude with one of those glowing perorations—one of those spontaneous bursts of eloquence—for which you are so justly famed.” Sir Thomas sat staring at his wife in speechless dismay. After a little while he got up and walked to the window, and stood there jingling his loose silver. ‘‘ What a pity it is, Matilda, that you are not the member for Pembridge instead of me! You would have done far more justice to the position than I can ever hope to do.” “Tut, tut! my dear. You must not talk so foolishly,” said her ladyship, complacently. ‘‘I know your abilities far better than you do yourself. All that you lack is confidence, and that will come to you in due time.” “ T suppose those worthy people down at Pembridge wouldn’t feel satisfied unless I made some sort of an attempt at a speech sometime before the session’s over, eh?” “Certainly not. So the sooner you take the plunge, the better for everyone. How would you like to meet your constituents in the autumn, if the sound of your voice had never been heard in the House?” Sir Thomas stood without speaking for a minute or two. At last he said, “I think I’ll go and have a little talk with Pomeroy.” “Do so, my dear. I have no doubt that his views will coincide with mine. Mr. Pomeroy is a very clever young man—and so exemplary too! Iam highly pleased with him.” Sir Thomas found Jack in the library, where, having nothing to do for his employer, he was trying to hammer out a few verses for one of the magazines; only, as the fair face of Eleanor Lloyd would keep coming between his muse and him, it is to be feared that he was not making very satisfactory progress. Sir Thomas gave a little sigh, and sat down at the opposite side of the table. ‘“ Pomeroy,” he began presently, “her ladyship seems to think that it’s about time I made a little bit of a splash in the House. Rather out of my line, you know; but I suppose it has to be done, and the sooner it’s got over, the better. So what I want you to do for me is this: there’s to be a big debate on the Sugar Duties in about a month’s time, and I want you to work the subject up, and write out a bit of a speech for me that I can get off by heart. I know that’s a sort of thing that comes easy enough to a clever young chap like you, but it would be deuced difficult to me; just as difficult, I daresay, as it would be for you to buy half a score bullocks at a fair, and make sure at the same time that you were getting full value for your money.” “JT shall be glad to have a little more to do, Sir Thomas. At present I don’t feel as if I were earning my salary.” _ ECOMNIGOOG SS (CO)