an authority on political economy."

"Why?" asked Bertie.

"Well, he wanted to be; he thought it was a useful thing to be."

Bertie gave an expressive grunt, which conveyed his opinion that there
was no accounting for tastes.

Another square building came out, this time with windows and chimneys.

"A model of the Manchester branch of the Young Women's Christian
Association," said Harvey.

"Are there any lions?" asked Eric hopefully. He had been reading Roman
history and thought that where you found Christians you might reasonably
expect to find a few lions.

"There are no lions," said Harvey. "Here is another civilian, Robert
Raikes, the founder of Sunday schools, and here is a model of a municipal
wash-house. These little round things are loaves baked in a sanitary
bakehouse. That lead figure is a sanitary inspector, this one is a
district councillor, and this one is an official of the Local Government
Board."

"What does he do?" asked Eric wearily.

"He sees to things connected with his Department," said Harvey. "This
box with a slit in it is a ballot-box. Votes are put into it at election
times."