"I obeyed your summons," Bobbie continued, "though I'm sure Lady Lucy didn't want to invite me with all this hubbub going on. Well, what do you prophesy? They told me at the station that the result would be out by two o'clock. I very nearly went to the Town Hall, but the fact is everybody's so nervous I funked it. If Oliver's kicked out, the fewer tears over spilled milk the better."
"He won't be kicked out."
"Don't make too sure! I have been hearing the most dismal reports. The Ferrierites hate him much worse than if he'd gone against them openly. And the fellows he really agrees with don't love him much better."
"All the same he will get in; and if he don't get office now he will in a few years."
"Oliver must be flattered that you believe in him so."
"I don't believe in him at all," said Lady Niton, sharply. "Every country has the politicians it deserves."
Bobbie grinned.
"I don't find you a democrat yet."
"I'm just as much of one as anybody in this house, for all their fine talk. Only they pretend to like being governed by their plumbers and gas-fitters, and I don't."
"I hear that Oliver's speeches have been extremely good."