There was a moment of complete silence while his hearers
considered the vast scope of this remarkable suggestion. It is
only fair to say that Mr. Bleak's face had at first lighted up,
but then he glanced at his wife and his countenance grew pinched.
He spoke hastily:

"A very generous thought, my dear fellow; but I feel that you
would be far more competent for this form of public service than I
could hope to be."

"Your modesty does you credit," replied Quimbleton, "but you
forget that owing to my relation with Miss Chuff I shall happily
be precluded from the necessity of entering public life for this
purpose."

"And what, pray," said Mrs. Bleak with distinct asperity, "is to
become of me and the children if Mr. Bleak is elected to this
preposterous office?"

"I was coming to that," said Quimbleton eagerly. "It would be
arranged, of course, that the Perpetual Souse would be granted a
liberal salary for his family expenses; you and your delightful
children would be maintained at the public expense in a suitable
bungalow nearby, with a private family entrance into the official
cellars. Your rank, of course, would be that of Perpetual Spouse."

"My good Quimbleton," said Bleak, somewhat bitterly, "this is a
fascinating vision indeed, but how can it be accomplished? How
would you ever get such a scheme accepted by Bishop Chuff, who
will never forgive you for kidnaping his daughter? You are