Then he stepped back, and Oliver came forward.
* * * * * It was too far for the two to hear what was said, but Mabel slipped a paper, smiling tremulously, into the old lady's hand, and herself bent forward to listen.
Old Mrs.Brand looked at that, too, knowing that it was an analysis of her son's speech, and aware that she would not be able to hear his words.
There was an exordium first, congratulating all who were present to do honour to the great man who presided from his pedestal on the occasion of this great anniversary.

Then there came a retrospect, comparing the old state of England with the present.

Fifty years ago, the speaker said, poverty was still a disgrace, now it was so no longer.

It was in the causes that led to poverty that the disgrace or the merit lay.

Who would not honour a man worn out in the service of his country, or overcome at last by circumstances against which his efforts could not prevail ?...