and reiterated cries of "Speech!"

Then silence came with a startling swiftness.

Isabel was still in my mind, I suppose. "I shall go to
Westminster," I began. I sought for some compelling phrase and
could not find one. "To do my share," I went on, "in building up a
great and splendid civilisation."

I paused, and there was a weak gust of cheering, and then a renewal
of booing.

"This election," I said, "has been the end and the beginning of
much. New ideas are abroad--"

"Chinese labour," yelled a voice, and across the square swept a
wildfire of booting and bawling.

It is one of the few occasions when I quite lost my hold on a
speech. I glanced sideways and saw the Mayor of Kinghamstead
speaking behind his hand to Parvill. By a happy chance Parvill
caught my eye.

"What do they want?" I asked.

"Eh?"

"What do they want?"

"Say something about general fairness--the other side," prompted