W. Pett Ridge

“ Erb went to his chair by the side of Payne and took some papers from his pocket. He looked up and down the table nodding; his salutation was not in every case returned, and some of the men glared sternly at the advertisements; Spanswick waved his hand in the friendliest manner.
“There's the matter,” said Payne, “the matter of starting a paper or a organ or something of a sim'lar nature. I call upon the secretary to make a statement.”
“I object,” said a voice.
“That you, Lindsay?”
“Yes, Mr. Chairman,” announced a hot-faced youth, rising from his seat, “it is me.” ”

“ There was an Irish barrister, who had hitherto pleaded mainly at Cogers' Hall, and had a change in temperament for every glass of whiskey that he drank, going up and up the hill of cheerfulness until a certain number was reached, whereupon each succeeding glass made him descend slowly to the tableland of contempt for the world; a young Oxford man eager to make some alteration in the world without delay; and one or two safe men, who could always be relied upon to say a few appropriate words. ”

“ A storm seldom occurs without some premonitory signs, and it was on the tramcar that took him to Camberwell—no reason why he should go to Camberwell other than his desire to see Rosalind, and this would make him late for the committee meeting—it was on the tramcar that the first warnings appeared. Erb was seated at the back reading the manuscript, an article commencing, “Brother Workers!” when two men in railway uniform came up the steps, so keenly engaged in conversation that they stopped half-way to settle some disputed point, barring the descent of passengers who wished to alight. ”

“ Lindsay had come to the meeting with the vague desire to get satisfaction by opposing something; here in the discussion concerning Erb appeared a subject which exactly fitted his requirements.
“I should like to say a few brief words on the matter which we 'ave jest been discussing.”
“Question!” cried Spanswick.
“I'll question you,” retorted Lindsay heatedly, “if you can't leave off interruptin'. I appeal to the Midland men present, and I ask whether they're going to allow themselves to be sat upon?”
“You'll be jumped on if you don't look out,” said Spanswick. The room began to take sides. ”

“ We don't want a new secretary, because we ain't a going to get rid of the old one. The position isn't vacant. I move, Mr. Chairman, or second, or whatever you call it, that that letter what you've got in your hand be given back to our friend Erb, and that he be asked or invited or requested—I don't know how you put these things—to tear it up and forget all about it ”

“ The new movement owes much to your influential voice. I think we shall want you to run down to Birmingham next week, but the secretary will write you, and he also will see to the expenses. If you will not accept payment for your services, at any rate there is no reason why you should be out of pocket over the business.—Yours, with great regard.”
“Reads fair enough,” commented Erb. ”

“ Professor full of a kind of stale enthusiasm concerning a new project, which was to take a theatre or a town hall or a room or something and give costume recitals, grave and gay, and to keep on at it night after night until people found themselves forced to come in their thousands ”

“ Erb rose. As he did so, Spanswick, with his right arm raised, a reminiscence of Board School manners, rose also, and claimed the attention of Payne in the chair.
“I consider it an insult,” said Spanswick loudly, “to allow our friend the secretary to answer the ridic'lous attack that has been made upon him. I claim the right to reply on his behalf.” Erb sat down. “It's all very well for men to talk who've never been tempted either by the attractions of 'igh society, or—what shall I say—the allurements and what not that titled parties, be they gentlemen or be they ladies, can offer ”

“ You pass him votes of thanks, and what not, and fill him up with soft soap, and consequence is, he goes swelling about like anything.”
“He wasn't far wrong about that South Western business,” remarked the other with meek determination, “and chance it.”
“You can't expect a man not to do right sometimes. I ain't arguin', mind you, that Erb's a fool. ”