"And he'll do it well, too; the Major makes a very good straightforward speech."
"Yes," said Dick; "the old cock is not a bad hand at it. But I have a suspicion he's going to make a greater oration than usual and read some long rigmarolish old records."
"That will never do!" said Murphy, "as long as a man looks Pat in the face, and makes a good rattling speech 'out o' the face,' Pat will listen to him; but when a lad takes to heavy readings, Pat grows tired. We must persuade the Major to give up the reading."
"Persuade my father!" cried Dick. "When did you ever hear of his giving up his own opinion?"
"If he could be prevailed on even to shorten——" said Murphy.
"Oh, leave him to me," said Dick, laughing; "I'll take care he'll not read a word."
"Manage that, Dick, and you're a jewel!"
"I will," said Dick. "I'll take the glasses out of his spectacles the morning of the nomination, and then let him read, if he can."
"Capital, Dick; and now the next point of discussion is——"
"Supper, ready to come up, sir," said a servant, opening the door.