"Oh, that would make a difference, of course. A man ought to know on which side his bread is buttered."
"And principle and conviction should not count?"
"I don't say that. A man can have any convictions he likes, so long as he keeps them to himself; but in politics it is safest to side with the powers that be."
"You think so?"
"I am sure of it. Take the case of my Uncle Ned."
"I never heard of him," Ruth said innocently.
"Oh, well, his late landlord was a Liberal, and, of course, my uncle was a Liberal. Then his landlord became a Unionist, and Uncle Ned became a Unionist also. Well, then his landlord died and his son took possession. He's a Conservative and true blue, and, of course, Uncle Ned is a Tory of the Tories. What is the result? He gets no end of privileges. Moreover, there is no fear of his being turned out of his farm."
"And you admire your Uncle Ned?"
"I think he might be a little less ostentatious. But he knows on which side his bread is buttered. Now my Cousin William goes dead against his own landlord; there's all the difference. Result, Ned remains and prospers; William has notice to quit."
"I'd rather be William than your Uncle Ned."