the better class, too. It may be sordid and greedy and
tyrannical, but by appealing to its good instincts--and to its fear of
the money kings and the monopolists, something good can be got through
it."

"If you want to get office," said Dorn, "you're right. But if you want
to BE somebody, if you want to develop yourself, to have the joy of
being utterly unafraid in speech and in action--why, come with us."

After a pause Hull said, "I'd like to do it. I'd like to help you."

Victor laid his hand on Davy's arm. "Get it straight, Davy," he said.
"You can't help us. We don't need you. It's you that needs us. We'll
make an honest man of you--instead of a trimming politician, trying to
say or to do something more or less honest once in a while and winking
at or abetting crookedness most of the time."

"I've done nothing, and I'll do nothing, to be ashamed of," protested
Hull.

"You are not ashamed of the way your movement is financed?"

Davy moved uncomfortably. "The money's ours now," said he. "They gave
it unconditionally."

But he could not meet Victor's eyes. Victor said: "They paid a
hundred thousand dollars for a judgeship and for a blanket mortgage on
your party. And if you should win, you'd find you could do little
showy things that were of no value, but nothing that would seriously
disturb a single leech sucking the blood of this community."

"I don't agree with you," said Davy. He roused himself into anger--his
only remaining refuge. "Your prejudices blind you to all the
means--the PRACTICAL means--of doing good, Dorn. I've listened
patiently to you because I respect your sincerity. But I'm not going
to waste my life in mere criticism. I'm going to DO something."

An expression of profound sadness came into Victor's face. "Don't
decide now," he said. "Think it over. Remember what I've told you
about what we'll be compelled to do if you launch this party."

Hull was tempted to burst out violently. Was not this swollen-headed
upstart trying to intimidate him by threats? But his strong instinct
for prudence persuaded him to conceal his resentment. "Why the devil
should you attack US?" he demanded.

"Surely we're nearer your kind of thing than the old parties--and we,
too, are against them--their rotten machines."

"We purpose to keep the issue clear in this town," replied Victor.
"So, we can't allow a party to grow up that PRETENDS to be just as good
as ours but is really a cover beh