Silverbridge as he backed up
Tregear in the uncomfortable work, congratulated himself on the
comfort of having a Mr Sprugeon and Mr Sprout who could manage his
borough for him without a contest.
They worked on that day all the morning till one, when they took
luncheon, all reeking with wet, at the King's Head,--so that a
little money might be legitimately spent in the cause. Then, at
two, they sallied out again, vainly endeavouring to make their
twenty calls within the hour. About four, when it was beginning to
be dusk, they were very tired, and Silverbridge had ventured to
suggest that as they were all wet through, and as there was to be
another meeting in the Assembly Room that night, and as nobody in
that part of town seemed to be at home, they might perhaps be
allowed to adjourn for the present. He was thinking how nice it
would be to have a glass of brandy-and-water and then lounge till
dinner-time. But the philosophers received the proposition with
stern disdain. Was his Lordship aware that Mr Carbottle had been
out all day from eight in the morning, and was still at work; that
the Carbottleites had already sent for lanterns and were
determined to go on till eight o'clock among the artisans who
would then have returned from their work? When a man had put his
hand to the plough, the philosophers thought that a man should
complete the furrows!
The philosophers' view had just carried the day, the discussion
having been held under seven or eight wet umbrellas at the corner
of a dirty little lane leading into the High Street, when
suddenly, on the other side of the way, Mr Carbottles cortege made
its appearance.
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