Edgar Wallace

“ She put down her book.
"It is rather good at times to be impressed by a sense of one's own nothingness," she said, "but not for you. Chick. You are going to be a big factor in life."
He shook his head.
"I was reading the political news," he said. "I've never read it before, and never realised the power of the Government. Why, Gwenda, it can do anything! It could shut up your theatre or—or——"
"What makes you think all this, Chick?" asked the girl.
"I don't know, only it seems so ridiculous that a fellow like me should have the nerve to go into Parliament, and that's what it amounts to." ”

“ Lord Felthinton fixed his eye-glass and reviewed the new peer with approval.
"As a matter of fact, Lord Pelborough," he said, "you should be introduced by two marquises; but there isn't a marquis in the House to-day, and you'll have to be content with the escort of inferiors."
Chick dimly remembered that Gwenda had told him that Lord Felthinton was one of the richest landowners in England, and during the time of waiting he tried very politely to turn the conversation to land, about which he knew nothing more than that it was the substance on which houses were built. ”

“ HAD the eminent author of "Tangled Lives" foreseen that at the conclusion of his third act there would arrive on the stage, a little blinded by the glare of the lights, more than a little worried for the child of tender years he bore in his arms, no less a personage than the Most Honourable the Marquis of Pelborough, who, having arrived, would blunder into the very thrill of a carefully devised finish, he could not have written words that better fitted the situation when Chick stumbled on to the stage of the Strand-Broadway Theatre, holding the infant Samuel in his arms. ”

“ Leither, in some discomfort of mind. "What about clothes?"
"Clothes?"said the puzzled Chick.
"I have the best tailor in the world," said Mr. Leither extravagantly.
Chick thought that he was not a good advertisement for that excellent tradesman, but said nothing,
"Suppose you go along and order half a dozen suits. A dress-suit—have you got a dress-suit, Pelborough?"
"No, I haven't," admitted Chick.
"You ought to have." Mr. Leither shook his head. "What about shirts and boots and things? My dear Pelborough, you really must dress up to your station. Now, look at me." ”

“ Very respectable persons they seemed, thought Chick, and was amazed to discover that they lived on the border-line of rascality.
"That fellow over there works the American liners," said Mr. Solburg. "He's the son of a lord, and an 'honourable,' but he's the decoy duck that brings the other birds to the slaughter." ”

“ Presently they all, for no reason at all, trooped out of the lobby and back to the House, and Chick found himself following sheepishly.
He caught sight of Mansar, who took him by the arm.
"This is going to be a close thing, old chap," he said, "and your speech was a corker!"
"Which is close? What is it?" asked the mystified Chick.
"Hush!" said Mansar.
Two men walked to the table, there was an exchange of words, and suddenly a roar of cheering.
Mansar sat open-mouthed.
"The Government is defeated by one vote," he said. ”

“ The girl had received from one of his lordly sponsors a ticket admitting her to the gallery, to watch the ceremony, and she went with him.
He was reminded of a great cathedral he had once visited. He could not remember where or in what circumstances, but the place had left just such an impression as was now revived. He felt it would not be decent to talk above a whisper in these high vaulted corridors, broad and spacious. ”

“ The work of an insurance clerk with a limited income is governed by a ready-made routine. His uncle's endless petitions to the House of Lords that the ancient Marquisate of Pelborough should be revived in his favour, Chick had regarded so indulgently that his attitude was almost one of indifference. ”

“ She laughed, stretching out her hand to his and gripping it in her cool palm.
"You'll be a big man yet, dear," she said. "You'll make and break Governments like that!" She snapped her disengaged fingers.
"Goodness!" said Chick fearfully. "I hope not!"
Chick faced the day of days a little wanly. He would not have had any breakfast, but Gwenda insisted, and he absolutely refused any lunch—he said it would choke him.
The coronet and robes were packed in a suit-case, and Chick insisted upon travelling to the House of Lords by 'bus. ”

“ And here are the names of the people who will introduce you—such nice men, Chick—Lord Felthinton and the Earl of Mansar. They've read all about you, and they say they'll be delighted to do anything for you. ”

“ He had strong views formed in secret and never before expressed.
"The difference between the illiterate general labourer and the skilled artisan is the two years you snip from his schooling," was one of the phrases he used, and one afterwards employed by the educationalists as their watchword. ”

“ Phibbs. "Anybody would think you were going to an execution, Chick." (At his earnest request she had adopted this style of address.)
"Couldn't it be put off for a week?" said the agonised Chick. "We're awfully busy on Mondays."
"You're going on Monday," insisted Gwenda firmly. "Now, Chick, don't let us have any argument about this, and I think you ought to wear a Court suit. I'm going to ask Mr. Solburg about it." ”

“ Order!" at this breach of the rules of debate.
"But," Chick went on, rubbing his chin nervously, "I quite agree with the stout gentleman over there." He nodded to the representative of the Government who was in charge of the Bill.
"The noble lord refers to the Under-Secretary of State," said the Lord Chancellor.
"Thank you very much, sir—Lord Chancellor, I mean," said Chick. "I didn't know his name, but I quite agree with most of the things he said. I'm quite sure he must be a gentleman with boys of his own." ”