“Oh, get out with your logic and your ultimate conclusions! It’s because the fellow that tried it on first would be mobbed, that’s why. Conclusions, indeed!”
“Well, go on,” with a laugh; “what was the effect of manhood suffrage in this particular instance?”
“The ultimate effect—since ye like the word so well—is that they get five per cent on their money, and have their recreation just the same. For the club-house is mostly as it was, and, shareholders not necessarily belonging to the club, the members have their parlor, dining-room, and hall to themselves whenever they like. The only difference is that the hall is never rented to the public now; and on occasions of balls, concerts, and the like, they ain’t apt to shut out any regular patrons of ‘Prices’ who want to get in.”
“Are any of the old shareholders now members of the board of managers?”
“Four or five of them, and we’ve the same president and secretary. But the real business is transacted by the executive committee, three in number, and two constituting a quorum.”
“It’s a flexible arrangement, at any rate.”
“It’s beautiful,” said the priest with enthusiasm, “and works as easy as rolling off a log.”
“Ah! that simile reminds me of my own situation. I have emphatically rolled off my log.”
“Ye wrote me ye had resigned your charge.”
“Resigned! Did you ever hear of the grand bounce?” said Mr. Clare drolly. “Because that’s what I got for preaching Socialism.”