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Page 61
24. The Spirit of Unrest
During the following fortnight, two things happened which materially
altered Mike's position in the bank.
The first was that Mr Bickersdyke was elected a member of Parliament.
He got in by a small majority amidst scenes of disorder of a nature
unusual even in Kenningford. Psmith, who went down on the polling-day
to inspect the revels and came back with his hat smashed in, reported
that, as far as he could see, the electors of Kenningford seemed to be
in just that state of happy intoxication which might make them vote for
Mr Bickersdyke by mistake. Also it had been discovered, on the eve of
the poll, that the bank manager's opponent, in his youth, had been
educated at a school in Germany, and had subsequently spent two years
at Heidelberg University. These damaging revelations were having a
marked effect on the warm-hearted patriots of Kenningford, who were now
referring to the candidate in thick but earnest tones as 'the German
Spy'.
'So that taking everything into consideration,' said Psmith, summing
up, 'I fancy that Comrade Bickersdyke is home.'
And the papers next day proved that he was right.
'A hundred and fifty-seven,' said Psmith, as he read his paper at
breakfast. 'Not what one would call a slashing victory. It is fortunate
for Comrade Bickersdyke, I think, that I did not send those very able
speeches of his to the _Clarion'_.
Till now Mike had been completely at a loss to understand why the
manager had sent for him on the morning following the scene about the
cheque, and informed him that he had reconsidered his decision to
dismiss him. Mike could not help feeling that there was more in the
matter than met the eye. Mr Bickersdyke had not spoken as if it gave
him any pleasure to reprieve him. On the contrary, his manner was
distinctly brusque. Mike was thoroughly puzzled. To Psmith's statement,
that he had talked the matter over quietly with the manager and brought
things to a satisfactory conclusion, he had paid little attention. But
now he began to see light.
'Great Scott, Smith,' he said, 'did you tell him you'd send those
speeches to the papers if he sacked me?'
Psmith looked at him through his eye-glass, and helped himself to
another piece of toast.
'I am unable,' he said, 'to recall at this moment the exact terms of
the very pleasant conversation I had with Comrade Bickersdyke on the
occasion of our chance meeting in the Turkish Bath that afternoon; but,
thinking things over quietly now that I have more leisure, I cannot
help feeling that he may possibly have read some such intention into my
words. You know how it is in these little chats, Comrade Jackson. One
leaps to conclusions. Some casual word I happened to drop may have
given him the idea you mention. At this distance of time it is
impossible to say with any certainty. Suffice it that all has ended
well. He _did_ reconsider his resolve. I shall be only too happy
if it turns out that the seed of the alteration in his views was sown
by some careless word of mine. Perhaps we shall never know.'
Mike was beginning to mumble some awkward words of thanks, when Psmith
resumed his discourse.
'Be that as it may, however,' he said, 'we cannot but perceive that
Comrade Bickersdyke's election has altered our position to some extent.
As you have pointed out, he may have been influenced in this recent
affair by some chance remark of mine about those speeches. Now,
however, they will cease to be of any value. Now that he is elected he
has nothing to lose by their publication. I mention this by way of
indicating that it is possible that, if another painful episode occurs,
he may be more ruthless.'
'I see what you mean,' said Mike. 'If he catches me on the hop again,
he'll simply go ahead and sack me.'
'That,' said Psmith, 'is more or less the position of affairs.'
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