Gergue nodded his head. “That’s what you always do,” he agreed. “Trouble is, Chase has aimed to do what wa’n’t right, and looks like he’d get away with it.”

The other flushed painfully, and his mouth opened as though he would like to speak, but it was some time before he managed to ask: “Is that--the reason Congressman Caretall is coming home?”

The Court House clock, across the street, struck four. The train was due at four-twenty-two. Gergue rose slowly. “Well, now, let’s go down and ask him,” he invited.

Hollow assented weakly. “Yes, I guess that’s the right thing to do.”

Gergue looked at him with faint impatience. “Why do you guess it’s the right thing to do?” he inquired.

The other hesitated, lifted his hands, spread them helplessly.

“Well--isn’t it?” he asked.

“Oh, dear!” said Gergue sweetly. “Well--come on.”Hollow was a man with very short legs. This gave him an unfortunate, pattering appearance when he walked with a taller man; and as he and Gergue turned down Main Street toward the station, this fact was commented upon. Some of the comments were direct, some subtle. For example, one of a group of four men at the hotel corner, when the two approached, looked all about him and whistled shrilly. “Hey, doggie! Hey, doggie! Heel!” he called.

James T. Hollow was not without perception. He blushed painfully. But Gergue took no notice of the jest, for as they approached the group, one of the men detached himself and came to meet them. This was Winthrop Chase--Winthrop Chase, Senior--the candidate opposing Hollow for the mayoralty. Hardiston felt that it was gracious of Chase to offer himself for the office, for he was a man of affairs, chief owner of the biggest furnace, a coal operator of importance in other fields, and not unknown in state political circles. He was an erect man, so erect that he leaned backward, and with a peculiarly healthy look about him. He had a strong jaw and a small, governed mouth. His manner was courtly and gracious. Some considered it condescending.

“Good morning, Gergue,” he said now. “Good morning, Mr. Hollow.”
“Howdo,” Gergue returned. Hollow was more loquacious. “How do you do, Mr. Chase.”
“The Congressman comes back to-day?” Chase asked.
“Yep,” said Gergue.
“We ought to have a reception for him at the station. He has made a name for himself at this session.”
“Always had a name,” Gergue commented, 

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