APRIL 175 



where I spoke, and that if only he would undertake to arrange 

 matters with the authorities in Norwich, I should be delighted 

 to support him to the best of my poor ability. On hearing after- 

 wards that this was done, I started about 7.30 (one of the delights 

 of political meetings is that you very seldom get any dinner), and, 

 having driven to the appointed school-house, sent my cart to be 

 stabled at the Hall, a mile and a half away. Presently arrived 

 my friend, and we stood for a while talking amid the small but 

 excited crowd which on these occasions always gathers round the 

 doors. Soon, however, I was aroused by an indignant voice 



exclaiming, * Why are you here, sir ? Why ain't you at D ? ' 



and turned to find myself confronted by the agent with whom 



without doubt I had arranged to appear at D on this very day 



and hour. I explained humbly that it was not my fault, whereon 

 there arose what may be called a slight altercation. 



You must go to D ,' said the justly indignant agent ; 



' there is no one to speak there ; the meeting will come to an end 

 if you don't before ever the candidate gets round. What's the 

 use of my making arrangements when you gentlemen go and 

 upset them ? ' 



Again, though with a certain sense of guilt, I protested that 

 whoever's fault this unhappy state of affairs might be, it was not 

 mine, adding further that as I had sent my trap away I had now 

 no means of getting to D . 



' Means ! ' he replied wrathfully, at the same time proffering me 

 a very low bicycle without a lamp (it was growing pitch dark, and I 

 am somewhat long in the leg) ; 'jump on this and be off at once.' 



* What ! ' I urged, ' ride a strange bicycle in the dark and in 

 this coat ? ' 



4 Oh, never mind the coat,' he answered ; ' take it off.' 



Then I struck, alleging with perfect truth that every ounce of 



zeal which I possessed for the success of the D meeting was not 



sufficient to urge me to this adventure, complimentary as might be 

 his anxiety for my presence. Ultimately, to cut a long story short, 

 we compromised, and I found a friendly farmer to drive me in his 



