And
I say so too," continued Gerard. "It is just; just and manly
and like a true-born Englishman as he is, who loves the people
and whose fathers before him loved the people (great
cheering). Three cheers for Mr Trafford I say;" and they were
given; "and three cheers for Mrs Trafford too, the friend of
the poor!" Here the mob became not only enthusiastic but
maudlin; all vowing to each other that Trafford was a true-
born Englishman and his wife a very angel upon earth. This
popular feeling is so contagious that even the Hell-cats
shared it--cheering, shaking hands with each other, and almost
shedding tears--though it must be confessed that they had some
vague idea that it was all to end in something to drink.
Their great leader however remained unmoved, and nothing but
his brutal stupidity could have prevented him from
endeavouring to arrest the tide of public feeling, but he was
quite bewildered by the diversion, and for the first time
failed in finding a prompter in Field. The Chartist was cowed
by Gerard; his old companion in scenes that the memory
lingered over, and whose superior genius had often controlled
and often led him. Gerard too had recognized him and had made
some personal allusion and appeal to him, which alike touched
his conscience and flattered his vanity.
Pages:
654
655
656
657
658
659
660
661
662
663
664
665
666
667
668
669
670
671
672
673
674
675
676
677
678