Andy nodded, relit his pipe, and opened his telegram.
"That's why I think you're rather lucky to have it all cut and dried for you. Saves a lot of thinking!"
Andy had been reading his telegram, not listening to Harry for the moment. "I beg pardon, Harry?" he said.
"Oh, read it. I'm only gassing," said Harry good-humouredly.
Andy read again; he always liked to read important documents twice. He laid it down on the office table, looking very thoughtful. "That's funny!" he observed. "It's from your father."
"Well, I don't see why the pater shouldn't send you a telegram, if he wants to," smiled Harry.
"Asking me to go down to Meriton on Saturday and meet Lord Meriton, Wigram, and himself." He took up the telegram and read the rest of the message—"to discuss important suggestion of public nature affecting yourself. Personal discussion necessary."
"To meet Meriton and Wigram?" Wigram was the Conservative agent in the Division. "What the devil can they want?"
"I don't know," said Andy, "unless—unless it's about the candidature."
"About what?" Harry sharply withdrew the shapely foot from the table and sat upright in his chair.