I am counting on him for great things in the future.' "So the fuss seemed settled, thanks to the last person on earth you'd expect would be peacemaker.

But that afternoon I met Darius Tompkins, Bassett's right-hand man.
"'Bailey,' says he, 'you're a Conservative, ain't you?
You're for Dan through thick and thin ?' "'Why!' says I, 'I understand Dan and Gaius are both out of it now, and it's settled on Holway.

Dan's promised to vote for him.' "'HE has,' says Tompkins, with a wink, 'but the rest of us ain't.

We pledged our votes to Dan Bassett, and we ain't the kind to go back on our word.

Dan himself'll vote for Gabe; so'll Gaius and his reg'lar tribe.