Part 17 (1/2)

”What would you have it?”

”I'd have it in one sentence,” I said, ”and something like this: We believe in the pa.s.sage of legislation which shall prevent any man taking from the common store any more than he actually earns.”

Mr. Caldwell threw up his arms.

”Mr. Grayson,” he said, ”you're an outrageous idealist.”

”Mr. Caldwell,” I said, ”you'll say one of these days that I'm a practical politician.”

”Well, Harriet,” I said, ”he's got my vote.”

”Well, David,” said Harriet, ”that's what he came for.”

”It's an interesting world, Harriet,” I said.

”It is, indeed,” said Harriet.

As we stood on the porch we could see at the top of the hill, where the town road crosses it, the slow moving buggy, and through the open curtain at the back the heavy form of our Congressman with his slouch hat set firmly on his big head.

”We may be fooled, Harriet,” I observed, ”on dogmas and doctrines and platforms--but if we cannot trust human nature in the long run, what hope is there? It's men we must work with, Harriet.”

”And women.” said Harriet.

”And women, of course,” said I.

XIII

ON FRIENDs.h.i.+P

I come now to the last of these Adventures in Friends.h.i.+p. As I go out--I hope not for long--I wish you might follow me to the door, and then as we continue to talk quietly, I may beguile you, all unconsciously, to the top of the steps, or even find you at my side when we reach the gate at the end of the lane. I wish you might hate to let me go, as I myself hate to go!--And when I reach the top of the hill (if you wait long enough) you will see me turn and wave my hand; and you will know that I am still relis.h.i.+ng the joy of our meeting, and that I part unwillingly.