began to think that it was about time we did something to protect
ourselves. Still, it was a very difficult question: to tell the
truth, he himself could not make head or tail of it. At length he
said aloud, addressing himself to Crass:

`Wot do you think of this 'ere fissical policy, Bob?'

`Ain't thought much about it,' replied Crass. `I don't never worry my
'ed about politics.'

`Much better left alone,' chimed in old Jack Linden sagely, `argyfying
about politics generally ends up with a bloody row an' does no good to
nobody.'

At this there was a murmur of approval from several of the others.
Most of them were averse from arguing or disputing about politics. If
two or three men of similar opinions happened to be together they
might discuss such things in a friendly and superficial way, but in a
mixed company it was better left alone. The 'Fissical Policy'
emanated from the Tory party. That was the reason why some of them
were strongly in favour of it, and for the same reason others were
opposed to it. Some of them were under the delusion that they were
Conservatives: similarly, others imagined themselves to be Liberals.
As a matter of fact, most of them were nothing. They knew as much
about the public affairs of their own country as they did of the
condition of affairs in the planet of Jupiter.

Easton began to regret that he had broached so objectionable a
subject, when, looking up from his paper, Owen said: