ve been hearing the old man cussed thoroughly and scientifically,
eh?" drawled the Duke. He squinted, quizzically. "Well, a man who stays
in politics fifty years and doesn't make enemies, stays too close to the
ground to be worth anything. Good, healthy, vigorous enemies are a
compliment."

"I wonder whether his party will say that when General Waymouth starts
out in his reforms."

"What reforms?" demanded the old man, tugging off his collar.

"You heard what he said--about what he intended to do--the warning, as
he called it."

Thornton looked at his grandson serenely and with a glint of humor in
his eyes.

"You don't have any idea, do you, that Vard Waymouth is going to play
politics with sugar-plums instead of with the chips he finds on the
table? Get your wisdom teeth cut, young chap. That's another branch of
the science for you to learn."

Harlan protested, his loyalty a bit shocked.

"I believe that General Waymouth meant what he said."

"Well, what did he say?"

"You _know_ what he said. I saw you listening pretty closely,
grandfather. He intends a square deal for this State. I may be young,
and I probably don't understand politics, but I know an honest gentleman
when I see one."

"My boy, there's no question of dishonesty here. Don't pick up any of
the patter that the demagogues are babbling--and they don't know just
what they mean themselves. He _is_ an honest man. Have I known him all
my life without finding that out? But he isn't going to start out and
clinch any reputation for honesty by turning his back on his own party
and its interests--not for the sake of having the cheap demagogues of
the other side pat him on the back and pick his pockets at the same
time. He knows politics too well. But we won't sit up here to-night and
discuss that. Keep your faith in him. He's worth it."

With his coat on his arm he started for his berth.

"The idea is, then, the party is going to make him stand first of all
for things that will help the party, without much regard for what will
help the people of this State as a whole? That's politics according to
the code, is it, grandfather?"

"That's politics, my boy," stated the Duke with decision. "Once in a
while you find a fellow splitting off and trying to play it different,
but he doesn't last. Why the devil should he? It's his party, isn't it,
that puts him on the job?"

"It's the majority of the people that do it, if he's elected."

"Don't get fooled o