The young men said it was because no old stager who knew the way of pulling the wires would come forward and put the club in the proper groove.

The old men said it was because the young men were pretentious puppies.
It was, however, not to be doubted that the party of Progress had become slack, and that the Liberal politicians of the country, although a special new club had been opened for the furtherance of their views, were not at present making much way.

"What we want is organization," said one of the leading young men.

But the organization was not as yet forthcoming.
The club, nevertheless, went on its way, like other clubs, and men dined and smoked and played billiards and pretended to read.

Some few energetic members still hoped that a good day would come in which their grand ideas might be realised,--but as regarded the members generally, they were content to eat and drink and play billiards.