"Then I'll tell you what it is—the elections will be on immediately—and, by St Andrew, we'll put you up for Parliament!"
"Me!"
"You. Why not? There are hundreds of men there quite as hard up, and not half so clever as yourself."
"And what good would that do me?"
"Don't you see? You need not care a farthing about your debts then, for the personal liberty of a member of the House of Commons is sacred. You can fire away right and left at the currency; and who knows, if you play your cards well, but you may get a comfortable place?"
"Well, you are a genius, Bob! But then, what sort of principles should I profess?"
"That is a matter which requires consideration. What are your own feelings on the subject?"
"Perfect indifference. I am pledged to no party, and am free to exercise my independent judgment."
"Of course, of course! We shall take care to stick all that into the address; but you must positively come forward with some kind of tangible political views. The currency will do for one point, but as to the others I see a difficulty."
"Suppose I were to start as a Peelite?