"I've at last met someone who takes breakfast seriously." "I take everything seriously," said Peter, returning into gloom. "You needn't be so unhappy about it," said Marbury. "One good thing about an election is that it makes one realise the importance of being earnest. Even the local paper becomes an immensely serious thing." Marbury settled to his breakfast, shook out the _Highbury Gazette_, and was absorbed. Soon he was smiling. "What is it, Tony?" asked Lady Mary, eating an apple. "Listen to this," said Marbury. "It's one of Jordan's speeches." "Who's Jordan?" Peter interrupted. "My opponent," said Marbury. "He seems to be dangerous. He knows how to appeal to the people. He has just bought a house and some acres in the constituency, and he tells the Yorkshiremen that he's a farmer, with a stake in the county. "'Gentlemen,' he says, according to this report, 'you may perhaps be inclined to ask what this Mr. Jordan, a town-bred man and a stranger, knows about the land and the people on the land. Well, gentlemen, I'm a farmer myself--in a small way. (Cheers.) I have a hundred or so acres of good Yorkshire soil. (Cheers.) I have twenty head of cattle, some sheep and poultry, and only this morning I was admiring three fine stacks of hay built by the honest labour of your fellow townsmen. (Loud Cheers.) Gentlemen, I have come to live among you. (A great outburst of cheering, many of the audience rising and waving their hats.)'" "Is this what you call politics from within?" Peter scornfully interrupted. "Now, Peter, don't despise the amusements of the people. They like to be governed in this way. I shall have to see the bailiff." "I'm passing the home-farm," said Lady Mary. "I'll send him to you." When she had gone, Marbury looked with amusement at Peter, chafing up and down the hearth-rug. "Peter," he said, "compose yourself. The others will be coming down to breakfast." "Why do you want the bailiff?" Peter curtly inquired. "I'm thinking out a little light banter for Jordan. I want to know whether we can do better than twenty head of cattle and three fine stacks of hay." "I suggest," said Peter, massively sarcastic, "that you make out a list of your hens and pigs and send it round the constituency." Marbury considered this. "That, Peter, is an idea. I'll talk it over with the agent." Peter flung up his hands in the gesture Marbury loved in him and always knew how to provoke. "It's all damn nonsense," said Peter shortly. "Jordan calls it democracy." "Politics!" Peter exclaimed, with his nose in the air. "I've told you before, Peter, not to despise politics. It's ignorant. We'll go into the garden."