'An inscription?' 'Yes; if
there's any danger of that, and--my four boys growing up!' Then,
of course, I understood. Fortunately, she was so very much in
earnest that I had no temptation to smile."
"And did you encourage her alarm?"
"I felt I had no right to do that. To avoid repeating the word, I
said that I didn't think _that system_ would ever find favour in
England. At the same time, it was quite certain that our army would
have to be greatly strengthened if this war-fever went on. Oh, we
had an endless talk--and she was certainly impressed with my
arguments."
"Bravo! Why, this is something like!"
"You can't think what courage it has given me! To-morrow I shall go
to Mrs. Clifford--yes, I shall. She is far more formidable; but I
want to try my strength."
"Ho, ho! What a pugnacious Lily--a sword-Lily! You ought to have
had an heroic name--Deborah, or Joan, or Portia! Your eyes gleam
like beacons."
"I feel more contented with myself.--Oh, I am told that Mrs. Wade
called this afternoon?"
"Yes; anxious to see you. Burning with wrath against female Toryism.
She was astonished when I told her of your expedition."
Lilian laughed merrily. Thereupon dinner was announced, and they
left the room hand in hand.
That evening it was rumoured throughout the town that Mr.
Welwyn-Baker had telegraphed a resolve _not_ to offer himself for
re-election.
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