CHAPTER XXXVIII 

From town to town, travelling for the most part on the platform of an engine, Maraton sped on his splendid mission. It was Ernshaw himself who drove, with the help of an assistant, but as they passed from place to place the veto was lifted. The men in some districts were a little querulous, but at Maraton's coming they were subdued. It was peace, a peace how splendid they were soon to know. By mid-day, trains laden with coal were rushing to several of the Channel ports. Maraton found his task with the miners more difficult, and yet in a way his triumph here was still more complete. He travelled down the backbone of England, preaching peace where war had reigned, promising great things in the name of the new Government. Although he had been absent barely forty-eight hours, it was a new London into which he travelled on his return. The streets were crowded once more with taxicabs, the evening papers were being sold, the shops were all open, the policemen were once more in the streets. Selingman, who had scarcely once left Maraton's side, gazed about him with wonder. 

"It is a miracle, this," he declared. "There is no aftermath." 

"The people are waiting," Maraton said. "We have given them serious pledges. Their day is to come." 

"You believe that Foley will keep his word?" Selingman asked. 

"I know that he will," Maraton replied. "As soon as the Bills are drafted, he will go to the country. It will be a new Party--the National Party. Stay and see it, Selingman--a new era in the politics of the world, a very wonderful era. The country is going to be governed for the people that are worth while." 
with what?
The streets were crowded once more with taxicabs,