Ralston came into the railway carriage with a fountain-pen and a huge
sheet of official-looking paper.
"Pardon my intrusion," he said. "This is a non-party business. I am just
getting a few signatures----"
"Don't apologise, Sir," interrupted Baffin. "I am delighted to see a
young man like you working in such a cause. Every loyal Englishman,
unless blindly ignorant or filled with Radical spite, will be delighted
to sign it."
Grabbing the fountain-pen he scribbled the imposing signature, "James
Baffin, Hughenden, Tulse Hill."
"It doesn't involve any financial responsibility?" enquired Macdougal
with a touch of national caution.
"Not in the least. You just sign," replied Ralston.
Down went the name of Luke Macdougal.
Wilcox had to have his attention drawn to the petition because he
pretended to be absorbed in _The Times_--reading it with the attachment
of an old subscriber, though we all knew he had only taken it for two
days.
"Of course," said Wilcox, "at the present moment I could not think of
taking any active part in military operations myself, but I am sure my
son-in-law----"
"You are not supposed to do anything but sign," said Ralston.
"Certainly, certainly, I'll be very pleased to sign. My son-in-law is a
most determined young fellow and feels most strongly on this point."
And Mr. Wilcox amiably offered up his son-in-law as a vicarious
sacrifice.
Dodham was a little dubious. "You see I'm not a politician," he began.
"Politics have nothing to do with it," said Ralston.
"No one, Sir, but an abject coward," broke in Baffin, "would shrink from
saving his country at such a critical moment."
"Well," said Dodham, "one can't be far wrong when non-party men like
KIPLING and GEORGE ALEXANDER are signing. I think I shall be justified."
The name of J. Percival Dodham was added to the list.