Chapter XXV

dtohisfeet. “ImustcongratulateMr.Craddockonhisexcellentspeech.Iamsureitcomesasasurprisetoallofusthatheshouldprovesuchafluentspeaker,withsuchafundofhumourand—er—andcommonsense.Andwhatismorevaluablethanthese,hislastwordshaveprovedtousthathisheart—hisheart,gentlemen—isintherightplace,andthatissayingagreatdeal.InfactIknownothingbettertobesaidofamanthanthathisheartisintherightplace.Youknowme,ladiesandgentlemen,IhavemademanyspeechestoyousinceIhadthehonourofstandingfortheconstituencyin’85,butImustconfessIcouldn’tmakeabetterspeechmyselfthantheoneyouhavejustheard.” “Youcould—youcould!”criedEdward,modestly. “No,Mr.Craddock,noIassertdeliberately,andImeanit,thatIcouldnotdobettermyself.FrommyshouldersIletfallthemantle,andgiveit——“ HereMr.BacotwasinterruptedbythestentorianvoiceofthelandlordofthePigandWhistle(arabidConservative). “ThreecheersforgoodoldTeddie!” “That’sright,myboys,”repeatedMr.Bacot,foroncetakinganinterruptioningoodpart,“ThreecheersforgoodoldTeddy!” Theaudienceopeneditsmightymouthandroared,thenburstagaininto,Forhe’sajollygoodfellow!ArthurBranderton,whenthetumultwassubsiding,rosefromhischairandcalledformorecheers.Theobjectofallthisenthusiasmsatcalmly,withawell-satisfiedlookonhisface,takingitallwithhisusualmodestcomplacency.Atlastthemeetingbrokeup,withcheers,andGodsavetheQueen,andHe’sajollygoodfellow.ThecommitteeandthepersonalfriendsoftheCraddocksretiredtotheside-roomforlightrefreshment. TheladiesclusteredroundEdward,congratulatinghim.ArthurBrandertoncametoBertha. “Rippingspeech,wasn’tit?”hesaid.“Ihadnoideahecouldjawlikethat.ByJove,itsimplystirredmerightthrough.” BeforeBerthacouldanswer,Mrs.MaystonRylesailedin. “Where’stheman?”shecried,inherloudtones.“Whereishe?Showhimtome....MydearMr.Craddock,yourspeechwasperfect.Isayit.” “Andinsuchgoodtaste,”saidMissHancock,hereyesglowing.“Howproudyoumustbeofyourhusband,Mrs.Craddock!” “There’snochancefortheRadicalsnow,”saidtheVicar,rubbinghishands. “Oh,Mr.Craddock,letmecomenearyou,”criedMrs.Branderton.“I’vebeentryingtogetatyoufortwentyminutes....You’vesimplyextinguishedthehorridRadicalsIcouldn’thelpcrying,youweresopathetic.” “Onemaysaywhatonelikes,”whisperedMissGlovertoherbrother,“butthere’snothingintheworldsobeautifulassentiment.Ifeltmyheartsimplybursting.” “Mr.Craddock,”addedMrs.MaystonRyle,“you’vepleasedme!Where’syourwife,thatImaytellherso?” “It’sthebestspeechwe’veeverhaddownhere,”criedMrs.Branderton. “That’stheonlytruethingI’veheardyousayfortwentyyears,Mrs.Branderton,”repliedMrs.MaystonRyle,lookingveryhardatMr.AtthillBacot.