"Well, now, Finn," he said, "don't you know that you've treated me badly about Loughton?"
"Treated you badly about Loughton!" Phineas, as he repeated the words, was quite in the dark as to Mr. Slide's meaning. Did Mr. Slide intend to convey a reproach because Phineas had not personally sent some tidings of the election to the People's Banner?
"Very badly," said Mr. Slide, with his arms akimbo,—"very badly indeed! Men on the press together do expect that they're to be stuck by, and not thrown over. Damn it, I say; what's the good of a brotherhood if it ain't to be brotherhood?"
"Upon my word, I don't know what you mean," said Phineas.
"Didn't I tell you that I had Loughton in my heye?" said Quintus.
"Oh—h!"
"It's very well to say ho, and look guilty, but didn't I tell you?"
"I never heard such nonsense in my life."
"Nonsense?"
"How on earth could you have stood for Loughton? What interest would you have there? You could not even have found an elector to propose you."