Tell him that with that I'm
heart and soul in sympathy; and would like to help him." He pushed aside
a pile of papers and, leaning across the desk, spoke with studied
deliberation. "If he can see his way to making his policy dependent upon
Protection, we can work together."
"And if he can't?" suggested Joan.
He fixed his large, colourless eyes upon her. "That's where you can help
him," he answered. "If he and I combine forces, we can pull this through
in spite of the furious opposition that it is going to arouse. Without a
good Press he is helpless; and where is he going to get his Press backing
if he turns me down? From half a dozen Socialist papers whose support
will do him more harm than good. If he will bring the working class over
to Protection I will undertake that the Tariff Reformers and the
Agricultural Interest shall accept his Socialism. It will be a victory
for both of us.
"If he gain his end, what do the means matter?" he continued, as Joan did
not answer. "Food may be dearer; the Unions can square that by putting
up wages; while the poor devil of a farm labourer will at last get fair
treatment.
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