Let me see.
Loughton is grouped with Smotherem, and Walker is a deal too strong
at Smotherem to hear of any other claim. I don't think we could dare
to propose it. There are the Chelsea hamlets, but it will take a wack
of money."
"I have not got a wack of money," said Phineas, laughing.
"That's the devil of it. I think, if I were you, I should hark back
upon some place in Ireland. Couldn't you get Laurence to give you up
his seat?"
"What! Fitzgibbon?"
"Yes. He has not a ghost of a chance of getting into office again.
Nothing on earth would induce him to look at a paper during all those
weeks he was at the Colonial Office; and when Cantrip spoke to him,
all he said was, 'Ah, bother!' Cantrip did not like it, I can tell
you."
"But that wouldn't make him give up his seat."
"Of course you'd have to arrange it." By which Phineas understood
Barrington Erle to mean that he, Phineas, was in some way to give to
Laurence Fitzgibbon some adequate compensation for the surrender of
his position as a county member.
"I'm afraid that's out of the question," said Phineas. "If he were to
go, I should not get it."
"Would you have a chance at Loughshane?"
"I was thinking of trying it," said Phineas.
"Of course you know that Morris is very ill.
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