"I do not think, gentlemen," I answered, "that I am imposed upon in this case."
"Ah, ah!" said many Liberals at once, shaking their heads in pity at my simplicity.
"At all events," I added, "you'll not refuse a little aid."
"Certainly, I shall," replied the leader; "it's a rule, sir. I wouldn't break through it. I act entirely upon principle! I can't encourage robbery and vagrancy. It's Quixotic."
"Quite so—quite so!" murmured the bellies.
"Besides, there's the Union; we are paying for that. Why don't these people go in? Why, they tell me they may live in luxury there!"
"He has a wife and three children—it's hard to separate, perhaps—"
"Pooh, pooh, sir!"
"Pooh, pooh!" echoed the bellies.
"And, I'll tell you what, sir," said the gentleman emphatically in conclusion, "if you want to do good to society, you mustn't begin at the fag end of it; leave the thieves to the jailers, and the poor to the guardians. Repeal the corn-laws—give us free trade—universal suffrage—and religious liberty; that's what we want. I don't ask you to put a tax upon tallow—why do you want to put a tax upon corn? I don't ask you to pay my minister—why do you want me to pay your parson? I don't ask you—"