The Life Of Charles Stewart Parnell Vol - I

^£T. 25-27] THINKING OF POLITICS 57
peering into it suspiciously, as if its state was much more important to him than Parliament—{I do not see my way. I am in favour of the tenants and of Home Eule, but I do not know any of the men who are working the movement.' John replied : ' It is easy to know the men. Go and see them/ 'Ah/ replied Parnell, ' that is what I don't quite see. I must look more around for myself first; I must see a little more how things are going; I must make out my own way. The whole question is English dominion. That is what is to be dealt with, and I do not know what the men in these movements intend.' Then, with a little banter, in which he occasionally indulged, he added, ' But, John, why don't you go into Parliament ? Why should not we make a start with you ? You are the head of the family. In fact, Avondale is more yours than mine. Do you lead the way/
This little conversation satisfied John that Parnell had been thinking more of politics than his family at all suspected, though with characteristic reticence he kept his own counsel. Nor did he even after this show any disposition to resume the subject. He relapsed into his old state of apparent indifference, devoting himself mainly to family and local affairs.
He had, indeed, become a member of the Synod of the Disestablished Church, but he took more interest in the mining operations which he had then commenced on his estate than in the affairs of that institution. And so the last days of the year 1873 found Parnell still living the life of a quiet country gentleman, still leaving politics severely alone.