The words meant nothing, spoken in a last leaping spasm of annoyance, but after a pause Hamer said “Why not?” very quietly; and after a second pause--of astonishment, this time--Stubbs suddenly said “Why not?” too. Indeed, he got solemnly to his feet and repeated it, extending a check arm. “Why not? In the family. Always in the family! Rur’l D’trict C’cillor myself, once upon a time”--so he had been, in forgotten ages--“father Rur’l D’trict C’cillor, too. Chairman, in fact. Chairman myself but for accident. Other important business--you all know! Father great man, very highly respected. Chairman. In the family. Always in the family!” Harriet said--“Oh, cheese it, Stubbs!” looking embarrassed, but the colour had risen again in her cheeks, and she pulled the gauntlets back and fidgeted with them. “We all remember John Knewstubb,” Lancaster paid tribute. “His work for the county will stand for many a long year.” He looked laughingly at Harriet. “Come on! I’m sure his granddaughter will find plenty of backers.” “Bunkum!” Harriet frowned uncomfortably. He was not serious, she knew, but her colour mounted higher. “You’re talking through your hats. Of course I can’t do it!”--and again came the query, placidly from Hamer, importantly from Stubbs. “But isn’t she too--young?” Dandy put in, gazing with awe at the proposed candidate. “Of course, I know they do have ladies sometimes, but not--not like Harriet.” Excitement conquered doubt. “Oh, Harriet, _do_, and we’ll all help! Dad and I will canvass for you, and Miss Lancaster and Wiggie--Wiggie will love it, and nobody ever refuses him anything”--she pulled up suddenly, biting her lip. “We shall all be so proud of you, if you get in!” “Lancelot won’t let me canvass,” Helwise lamented. “Such a good opportunity for collecting subscriptions, too! He says they’re side-issues, whatever that may mean. But I’m sure they’d put you in, Harriet, even without me. You know you always get the egg-accounts within a shilling or two.” And Stubbs said: “In the family. Always in the family. Rur’l D’trict C’cillor!” with a final wave that abolished one of the lustres, and the diversion gave the visitors their chance to move. Harriet refused the Shaws’ invitation both for herself and her father. “I’m going to write to the Creeping Jesus, and it’ll take me all evening. I’ve remembered lots of things I could have said and didn’t, and I’ll want Stubbs by me to put in the adjectives. He’ll be as happy as a king with that and the microbes. We’ll come some other night, if you’ll have us. You’d better take a light, hadn’t you? It’ll be as black as a hearse in the lane.” She lighted a lantern, and walked with them to the gate. Behind her straight, boyish figure the well-kept house spoke of comfort, honesty and respect. She snapped the latch after them with a firm hand. “Good-night. And good luck!” Lanty called laughingly. “I shan’t mind standing down to John Knewstubb’s successor!” Harriet grunted with annoyance.