I am not
ashamed to own that, and I am none the worse for it as far as I know.
As for being a coward, we shall see."
The Secretary meanwhile had gone on with his beer. Despite his
notorious failing, he had been chosen for the post because in his
sober moments he was quick with his pen. He was not a working man;
nay, it was said he had been at Oxford. His present profession was
that of attorney's clerk. He got up and began a harangue about
Brutus.
"There's one way of dealing with tyrants--the old way, Mr. Chairman.
Death to them all, say I; the short cut; none of your palaver; what's
the use of palavering?"
He was a little shaky, took hold of the rail of his chair, and as he
sat down broke his pipe.
Some slight applause followed; but the majority were either against
him, or thought it better to be silent.
The discussion continued irregularly, and Zachariah noticed that
about half-a-dozen of those present took no part in it. At about ten
o'clock the chairman declared the meeting at an end; and it was quite
time he did so, for the smoke and the drink had done their work.
As Zachariah came out, a man stood by his side whom he had scarcely
noticed during the evening.
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