_Mrs. H. H._ (_to herself, as she threads her way through a grove of drying linen_). "I do _wish_ they would hang out their washing somewhere else--it's absolute ruin to one's hat! What a depressing place--but then they're all the more likely to be on our side. Have I got my canvassing cards and the bundle of leaflets? Yes--then I'd better begin.... How do you _do_, Mr. DOLLOP?... No, _please_ don't move--I see I've come upon you all at your tea. So refreshing on a warm afternoon like this!... No, not any for me, thanks, I never touch it--and besides, I had some before I came out, you know.... Oh, never mind about wiping a chair for me, Mrs. DOLLOP.... Yes, _quite_ comfortable, I assure you. What a delightful home you have, with all those charming coloured pictures on the wall, and so _beautifully_ clean, too!... Ah, if you only knew the trouble and worry of a great house and a whole tribe of servants.... But you mustn't say that; _no_ one need despair of getting on nowadays, you know. And this is your little boy and girl? such bright, intelligent little faces. Jam _is_ so wholesome for them, isn't it?... HALBUT and HALICE? Really! such pretty names _I_ always think; and both beginning with--er--H.... Well, yes, _I have_ called on some particular business. I daresay, now, Mr. DOLLOP, you're quite a politician.... A plasterer? Now, _how_ delightful! Because I must tell you that my husband.... No, I'm afraid _not_. You see, we've only just had the whole house thoroughly done up. I was only going to say that my husband has such a respect for plasterers as a class, you know. Haven't I mentioned who he is? _How_ stupid of me! He's Mr. HONEYBALL, the Radical Candidate for this place.... Yes, I've come about the elections, of course. Oh, but you _ought_ to care; I'm sure you're far too intelligent a man to be really indifferent who represents you in Parliament! And my husband is so devoted to the working-classes; it's been quite the aim of his life to do something for them. His motto is, 'Trust the People.'... Oh, _dear_ me, no--he's not a _shopkeeper_--he's at the Bar.... Certainly _not_. He's in favour of doing away with public-houses. He's a barrister--a _lawyer_, you know.... Ah, but perhaps you haven't been fortunate in such lawyers as you've _met_.... Well, but you wouldn't like the _Tories_ to get in, _would_ you?... But they've _had_ their 'innings,' as you call it; they've been in a whole fortnight--and what have they _done_?... And if the Liberal Government is kept out, what will become of all the great reforms they've been trying to give you?... Well, there's Home Rule, for _one_.... Surely you're in favour of letting the Irish manage their own affairs?... No, that's _such_ a mistake; they _won't_ want to manage ours--at least, except Imperial matters--and why _shouldn't_ they?... All that can so easily be settled afterwards.... Don't you call 'One man one vote' a great reform?... Isn't it monstrous that some people should have five