back and join in its most foolish pranks."

"That's all damned nonsense! How can any one be too good to be in
Parliament? The better men you have there, the better the country
will be governed, won't it?"

"Certainly. But the best man, in this case, is the man who sees the
shortest distance before his nose. If you think the world worth all
the trouble it takes to govern it, go in for politics neck and crop,
by all means, and the world will no doubt thank you in its own way."

Abraham looked puzzled, and half disposed to be angry.

"Then you think novel-writing better than governing the country?" he
asked.

"On its own merits, vastly so."

"And suppose there was no government What about your novels then?"

"I'd make a magnificent one out of the spectacle of chaos."

"But you know very well you're talking bosh," exclaimed Abraham,
somewhat discomfited. "There must be government, and there must be
order, say what you like. Its nature that the strong should rule
over the weak, and show them what's for their own good. What else
are we here for? if you're going to be a parson, well and good; then
cry down the world as much as you please, and think only about
heaven and hell. But as far as I can make out, there's government
there too. The devil rebelled and was kicked out. Serve him right If