"Really,
to hear some of our neighbors talk, you would think him a Communist.
And, on the other hand, he and Alicia only just escaped being badly hurt
this morning at the collieries--when they were driving round. I implored
them not to go. However, they would. There was an ugly crowd, and but
for a few mounted police that came up, it might have been most
unpleasant."
"I suppose Alicia has been careering about with him all day?" said Lady
Niton.
"Alicia--and Roland Lankester--and the chairman of Oliver's committee.
Now they've gone off on the coach, to drive round some of the villages,
and thank people." Lady Lucy rose as she spoke.
"Not much to thank for, according to you!" observed Lady Niton, grimly.
"Oh, well, he's in!" Lady Lucy drew a long breath. "But people have
behaved so extraordinarily! That man--that clergyman--at Beechcote--Mr.
Lavery. He's been working night and day against Oliver. Really, I think
parsons ought to leave politics alone."
"Lavery?" said Bobbie. "I thought he was a Radical. Weren't Oliver's
speeches advanced enough to please him?"
"He has been denouncing Oliver as a humbug, because of what he is
pleased to call the state of the mining villages.
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