And his energies were welcome enough on
this occasion, for the seat was a closely disputed possession, and its
loss or retention would count for much in the present position of the
Parliamentary game. With Kathleen to help him, he had worked his corner
of the constituency with tireless, well-directed zeal, taking his share
of the dull routine work as well as of the livelier episodes. The
talking part of the campaign wound up on the eve of the poll with a
meeting in a centre where more undecided votes were supposed to be
concentrated than anywhere else in the division. A good final meeting
here would mean everything. And the speakers, local and imported, left
nothing undone to improve the occasion. Rupert was down for the
unimportant task of moving the complimentary vote to the chairman which
should close the proceedings.
"I'm so hoarse," he protested, when the moment arrived; "I don't believe
I can make my voice heard beyond the platform."
"Let me do it," said the Sheep; "I'm rather good at that sort of thing."
The chairman was popular with all parties, and the Sheep's opening words
of complimentary recognition received a round of applause. The orator
smiled expansively on his listeners and seized the opportunity to add a
few words of political wisdom on his own account.
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