'Then you refuse to do as I ask?'

'I do not know how I can help refusing it. If you wanted me to
grow a couple of inches taller, I couldn't do it, even though I
should be ever so anxious to oblige you.'

'But a very young man, as you are, may have so much deference for
his elders as to be induced to believe that he has been in error.'

'Oh yes; of course.'

'You cannot but be aware that the political condition of the
country is the one subject to which I have devoted the labour of
my life.'

'I know that very well; and of course, I know how much they all
think of you.'

'Then my opinion might go for something with you?'

'So it does, sir; I shouldn't have doubted at all only for that.
Still, you see, as the thing is,--how am I to help myself?'

'You believe that you must be right,--you who have never given an
hour's study to the subject.'

'No, sir. In comparison with a great many men, I know that I am a
fool. Perhaps it is because I know that, that I am a Conservative.
The Radicals are always saying that a Conservative must be a fool.
Then a fool ought to be a Conservative.'