"
"Aren't they within your reach?"
"Your most ardent socialist," said Jimmy, "won't dream of pooling his
money till the millennium. What would be the use of my setting to work
and cutting out some poor devil who wants it?"
"Mightn't you go into parliament?" suggested Bridget.
"Original minds there are at a discount."
"Is your mind original?"
"An independent member is certain to be shunted at the first
opportunity," said Jimmy. "They want men who think in droves."
"There's the army," returned Bridget. "At least you might learn how to
defend your country."
"Yes, I have done that," he said, as they reached Hyde Park Corner. "I
used to be in the --th Hussars. Unfortunately, I got a rather bad
sunstroke in India. That may account for any small eccentricity you
notice."
"I was wondering," answered Bridget.
"As I had to come home," he explained, "and to keep quiet for I don't
know how long, I sold out. Since then I've raised a troop of yeomanry
at Atlinghurst. I have a place there, you know."
"Surely you might find a useful occupation in its management!"
"I did," said Jimmy, "until it was taken away.
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