This prospect of converting votes was a dangerous distraction to Mr. Brooke: his impression that waverers were likely to be allured by wavering statements, and also the liability of his mind to stick afresh at opposing arguments as they turned up in his memory, gave Will Ladislaw much trouble.

“You know there are tactics in these things,” said Mr. Brooke; “meeting people halfway⁠—tempering your ideas⁠—saying, ‘Well now, there’s something in that,’ and so on. I agree with you that this is a peculiar occasion⁠—the country with a will of its own⁠—political unions⁠—that sort of thing⁠—but we sometimes cut with rather too sharp a knife, Ladislaw. These ten-pound householders, now: why ten? Draw the line somewhere⁠—yes: but why just at ten? That’s a difficult question, now, if you go into it.”