"
"We shall see him before then thundering at us poor Tories in the
House," said Mr. Low. "He will be back again sooner or later." And
so they parted.
CHAPTER LXXV
P. P. C.
On the Thursday morning before Phineas went to Mr. Monk, a gentleman
called upon him at his lodgings. Phineas requested the servant to
bring up the gentleman's name, but tempted perhaps by a shilling the
girl brought up the gentleman instead. It was Mr. Quintus Slide from
the office of the "Banner of the People."
"Mr. Finn," said Quintus, with his hand extended, "I have come to
offer you the calumet of peace." Phineas certainly desired no such
calumet. But to refuse a man's hand is to declare active war after a
fashion which men do not like to adopt except on deliberation. He had
never cared a straw for the abuse which Mr. Slide had poured upon
him, and now he gave his hand to the man of letters. But he did not
sit down, nor did he offer a seat to Mr. Slide. "I know that as a man
of sense who knows the world, you will accept the calumet of peace,"
continued Mr. Slide.
"I don't know why I should be asked particularly to accept war or
peace," said Phineas.
"Well, Mr. Finn,--I don't often quote the Bible; but those who are
not for us must be against us.
Pages:
1023
1024
1025
1026
1027
1028
1029
1030
1031
1032
1033
1034
1035
1036
1037
1038
1039
1040
1041
1042
1043
1044
1045
1046
1047