I looked blankly at Harry, but Master Harry was still hopeful, as indicated by a dexterous half-wink while the M.P. was tossing off another glass of claret.
“I may tell you as a matter of fact, Mr. Hawthorne, that you are expected at this meeting.”
“It is very flattering, Mr. Welstone, but the meeting must stand disappointed in so far as I am concerned. No, gentlemen; in the House or outside of it, once I lay down a plan of operations, I never diverge from it by the distance of a single hair.”
Again I looked blankly at Harry, and again I met with a half-wink.
“That’s very unfortunate, Mr. Hawthorne, but I suppose it cannot be helped.”
“It cannot indeed, sir.”
“And reporters coming down from Dublin, too,” said Harry, addressing me.
“What is that you say, Mr. Welstone?” demanded the member of Doodleshire with considerable earnestness.
“Oh! it’s not worth repeating.”
“I think I heard you mention something about reporters?”