Mr. Ruddles had always thought that
no amount of work could be too heavy for his candidates.
"Will that make much difference?" asked Mr. Molescroft.
"Well, it does. Of course, he has been among the colliers,--when we
ought to have been before him."
"I came when I was told," said Phineas.
"I'd have telegraphed to you if I'd known where you were. But there's
no help for spilt milk. We must get to work now,--that's all. I
suppose you're for disestablishing the Church?"
"Not particularly," said Phineas, who felt that with him, as a Roman
Catholic, this was a delicate subject.
"We needn't go into that, need we?" said Mr. Molescroft, who, though
a Liberal, was a good Churchman.
Mr. Ruddles was a Dissenter, but the very strong opinion which Mr.
Ruddles now expressed as to the necessity that the new candidate
should take up the Church question did not spring at all from his own
religious convictions. His present duty called upon him to have a
Liberal candidate if possible returned for the borough with which he
was connected, and not to disseminate the doctrines of his own sect.
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