The flags were in the hands of ladies, and ladies would look to the rosettes, he was told.
Then a lady of the name of Barrington laughed lightly, and said:
'Only, pray, my dear Harry, don't call your uncle the "Great Mel" at the election.'
'Oh! very well,' quoth Harry: 'why not?'
'You 'll get him laughed at—that 's all.'
'Oh! well, then, I won't,' said Harry, whose wits were attracted by the
Countess's visage.
Mrs. Barrington turned to Seymour, her neighbour, and resumed:
'He really would be laughed at. There was a tailor—he was called the Great Mel—and he tried to stand for Fallow field once. I believe he had the support of Squire Uplift—George's uncle—and others. They must have done it for fun! Of course he did not get so far as the hustings; but I believe he had flags, and principles, and all sorts of things worked ready. He certainly canvassed.'
'A tailor—canvassed—for Parliament?' remarked an old Dowager, the mother of Squire Copping. 'My what are we coming to next?'
'He deserved to get in,' quoth Aunt Bel: 'After having his principles worked ready, to eject the man was infamous.'