Everybody who knew our hero, or nearly everybody, called him by his Christian name.

There are men who seem to be so treated by general consent in all societies.

Even Mrs.Low, who was very prosaic, and unlikely to be familiar in her mode of address, had fallen into the way of doing it before the election.

But she had dropped it, when the Phineas whom she used to know became a member of Parliament.
"That's the question;--isn't it ?" said Phineas.
"Of course you'll stick to your work ?" "What;--to the Bar ?" "Yes;--to the Bar." "I am not thinking of giving it up permanently." "Giving it up," said Mr.Low, raising his hands in surprise.

"If you give it up, how do you intend to live?
Men are not paid for being members of Parliament." "Not exactly.