Ralph found himself wondering, as many another man has done, as he sat watching and listening, by what curious or fatuous fate some of these men in the gathering ever climbed into their exalted positions. He put the question to Sir John when he had an opportunity. "Most of them do not climb at all," was the laughing answer. "They are simply pitchforked." "But surely it is merit that wins in a place like this?" Sir John laughed again. "In some cases, no doubt. For instance, you see that short, thick-set man yonder. Well, he's one of the most effective speakers in the House. A few years ago he was a working shoemaker. Then you see that white-headed man yonder, with large forehead and deep, sad-looking eyes. Well, he was a village schoolmaster for thirty years, and now he is acknowledged to be one of the ablest men we have. Then there is Blank, in the corner seat there below the gangway, a most brilliant fellow--a farmer's son, without any early advantages at all. But I don't suppose that either of them will ever get into office, or into what you call an exalted position." "But why not?" "Ah, well"--and Sir John shrugged his shoulders--"you see, the ruling classes in this country belong to--well, to the ruling classes." "But I thought ours was a purely democratic form of government?" "It is. But the democracy dearly love a lord. They have no faith in their own order. The ruling classes have; so they remain the ruling classes. And who can blame them?" "Still, when so much is at stake, the best men ought to be at the head of affairs." "Possibly they are--that is, the best available men. Tradition goes for a good deal in a country like this. Certain positions are filled, as a matter of course, by people of rank. An historic name counts for a good deal." "But suppose the bearer of the historic name should happen to be a fool?" "Oh, well, we muddle through somehow. Get an extra war or two, perhaps, and an addition to the taxes and to the national debt. But we are a patient people, and don't mind very much. Besides, the majority of the people are easily gulled." "Then promotion goes by favour?" Ralph questioned after a pause. "Why, of course it does. Did you ever doubt it? Take the case of the Imperial Secretary. Does any sane man in England, irrespective of creed or party, imagine for a moment that he would have got into that position if he had not been the nephew of a duke?" "But isn't he a capable man?" "Capable?"--and Sir John shrugged his shoulders again. "Why, if he had to depend on his own merits he wouldn't earn thirty shillings a week in any business house in the City." Ralph walked away from the House of Commons with a curious feeling of elation and disappointment. He had been greatly delighted in some respects, and terribly disappointed in others.