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Show ORATORY IN GREAT BRITAIN. The Mavor of Kinghamstead, a managing little man with no great be-j be-j lief in my oratorical powers, was sticking his face up to mino. "It's all over," he said, "and you've won. Say all the nico things you can and say them plainly." J turned and handed Margaret out through the window and stood looking over the- market place, which was more than half filled with swaying people. The- crowd set ,up a roar of approval at the sight of us. tempered by a little booing Down in the cor-I cor-I ner of the square a fight was going on for a flag-, a fight that oven the prospect of a speech could not Instantly In-stantly check "Speech'" cried voices "Speech'" And then a brief "Boo-oo-00" that was drowned In a cascade of shouts and cheers. The conflict round the flag culminated In tho smashing of a pane of glass In the chemist's window and instantly sank to peace. "Gentlemen voters of the Kinghamstead Kingham-stead division," I began. "v;otes for women!" yelled a voice, amid laughter the first time I remember re-member hearing that memorable war cry. "Three cheers for Mrs. Remington Reming-ton I" "Mrs. Remington asks me to thank you," I said, amid further uproar and reiterated cries of "Speech!" Then silence came with a startling swiftness. "I shall go to Westminister," I began. be-gan. I sought for some compelling phrase and couidv not find one. "To do my shard," I went on, "In building up a great and splendid civilization " I paused and there was a weak gust of cheering, and then a renewal of booing. "This election," I said, "has been tho end and the 'beginning of much. New ideas are abroad " "Chinese labor!" yelled a voice and across tho square swept a wildfire of hooting and bawling. It Is one of the fow qccnslons when I quite lost my hold on a speech, I glanced sideways and saw tho Mavor of Klnghams(ead speaking behind his hand to Pan-ill. By a happy chance Parvill caught my eve. "What do they wnht?" I asked. "Eh?" "What do they want?" . "Say something about general fairnessthe fair-nessthe other side," prompted Parvill, Par-vill, flattered, lmt a little surprised, by my appeal. I pulled myself hastily into a more popular strain with a gross eulogy of ray opponent's good taste. "Chinese labor!" cried tho voico again. H. G. Wells in the Forum. |