The chap who had nothing but health and ambition and honour and brains to offer, in addition to that unprofitable thing called love, was a viper in Mrs.Blair's estimation.

He was very properly and promptly stamped upon by the fond mother and doubtless was very glad to crawl off into the high grass, out of danger.

He--" "What has all this got to do with your present behaviour ?" demanded Braden harshly.

"Speaking of vipers," he added, by way of comment.
"I am coming to that," said Mr.Thorpe, resenting the interruption but not its sting.

"After a careful campaign, Arthur Tresslyn was elected.