Mr. Broad had decided not to vote. He did not deny that his
sympathies were not with the Tories, but as a minister of religion it
would be better for him to remain neutral. This annoyed the Allens
and damaged their cause. At a meeting held by the Tories one of the
speakers called upon the audience to observe that all the respectable
people, with very few exceptions, were on their side. "Why," cried
he, "I'll bet you, my friends, all Lombard Street to a china orange
that they don't get even the Dissenting parson to vote for the
Radicals. Of course he won't, and why? Just because he's a cut
above his congregation, and knows a little more than they do, and
belongs to the intelligent classes."
George bethought himself that perhaps he might do something through
Priscilla to influence her mother, and he determined to speak to her
about it. He came home one evening after attending a committee, and
found supper ready. Priscilla was downstairs, sitting with the door
open.
"Hadn't we better shut the door?" said George; "it is rather cold."
"No, no, George; I shouldn't hear the baby."
"But Ellen is upstairs."
"Yes; but then she might go to sleep.
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