Part 21 (1/2)
”I'm much afraid that the result of three or four months' earnest work has been destroyed this afternoon,” he said. ”Our allies have stirred up popular prejudice against us. We'll meet with opposition whichever way we turn.”
”There's something in that,” Grant agreed. ”Mrs. Nelson's a lady who would wreck any cause. Still, she has closed the hotels.”
”For one night. As a result of this afternoon's work, they will probably be kept open altogether. You can imagine how the authorities will receive any representations we can make, after our being implicated in this disturbance.”
”Have you thought of disowning the ladies? You could do so--you had no hand in the thing.”
The young clergyman flushed hotly.
”I'd have stopped this rashness, if I'd heard of it; but, after all, I'm the real instigator, since I started the campaign. I'm willing to face my share of the blame.”
”You mean you'll let Beamish make you responsible?”
”Of course,” said Hardie. ”I can't deny I'm leader. The move was a mistake, considered prudentially; but it was morally justifiable. I'll defend it as strongly as I'm able.”
Grant nodded, and Flora and Mrs. Nelson came in.
”Are you satisfied with what you've done?” Grant said to the girl.
”You might have given me a hint of it.”
Flora smiled.
”I'm afraid Beamish was too clever for us. From an outsider's point of view, he behaved exceptionally well, and in doing so he put us in the wrong. I didn't know what had been planned when I left home, but, as one of the league, I couldn't draw back when I heard of it.”
”You think he was too clever?” Mrs. Nelson broke in. ”How absurd to say that! We have won a brilliant victory!”
Grant made a little gesture.
”If you're convinced of that, ma'am, we'll leave you to talk it over.”
He led George toward the door.
”I like that man Hardie,” he resumed when they reached the street.
”Beamish has him beaten for the present, but I'm thankful there'll be no women about when we come to grips with his crowd. It may take a while, but those fellows have got to be downed.”
CHAPTER XII
GEORGE FACES DISASTER
A fortnight had pa.s.sed since the affair at the settlement when Hardie arrived at the Marston homestead toward supper-time. After the meal was over, he accompanied his host and Edgar to the little room used for an office.
”As I've been busy since four this morning, I don't mean to do anything more,” said George, ”I suppose you don't smoke?”
”No,” Hardie answered. ”It's a concession I can make without much effort to our stricter brethren. I'm inclined to believe they consider smoking almost as bad as drink. You agree with them about the latter?”
”We try to be consistent,” Edgar told him. ”You see, I couldn't very well indulge in an occasional drink when I've undertaken to make those Sage b.u.t.te fellows abstainers. Anyhow, though you're by no means liberal in your view, you're practical people. As soon as I landed at Montreal, a pleasant young man, wearing a silver monogram came up to me, and offered me introductions to people who might find me a job.
Though I didn't want one, I was grateful; and when I told him I wasn't one of his flock, he said it didn't matter. That kind of thing makes a good impression.”