Dodham was a little dubious. "You see I'm not a politician," he began.
"Politics have nothing to do with it," said Ralston.
"No one, Sir, but an abject coward," broke in Baffin, "would shrink from saving his country at such a critical moment."
"Well," said Dodham, "one can't be far wrong when non-party men like Kipling and George Alexander are signing. I think I shall be justified."
The name of J. Percival Dodham was added to the list.
Ralston turned to me. "You will sign, old man?"
"No, thanks," I said. "Signed a teetotal-pledge when I was six, and my aunts have brought it up against me ever since. Besides I haven't a father-in-law to take my place."
We stopped at a station.
"I'm off," said Ralston; "got to rake up more signatures."
Four men glared contemptuously at me for the rest of the journey. I don't know whether they regarded me as a miserable Little Englander or a wicked Big Irelander.