Part 17 (1/2)
When he came back with the gla.s.s of water Mr. Biggielow had just brought Joe some salad. The usual struggle began between the two men. Mr. Bonamy Biggielow was a little poet.
”I ought to thank you, Miss Thorn, instead of you thanking me,” said Vancouver, in a seductive voice, on one side of Joe.
”Is it not the most crowded supper you ever saw?” remarked Mr. Biggielow on the other side.
”Why?” said Joe, eating her salad and looking straight before her.
”I thought you were going to send me away. I was so glad when you condescended to make use of me,” answered Vancouver.
Mr. Biggielow also answered Joe's interrogation.
”Well,” he said, ”I mean it is thronged with people. There is a decided 'sound of revelry by night'.”
”Youth and beauty? That sort of thing?” said Joe to Biggielow. Then turning to Vancouver, she added, ”Why should I send you away?”
”I hope there is no reason,” he said gravely. ”In fact, I am sure there is none, except that you would of course always do exactly as you pleased about that and everything else.”
”Yes, indeed,” Joe answered, and her lip curled a little proudly, ”you are quite right about that. But then, you know, I did not send you away.”
”Thanks, again,” said Vancouver.
”Do let me get you something more, Miss Thorn,” suggested Mr. Biggielow.
”No? There is any amount of _pates_. You always like”--
”Of course you have heard about Harrington?” said Vancouver in a low voice close to Josephine's ear.
”No, really,” she answered. ”Will you take my plate? And the gla.s.s--thanks.” Mr. Bonamy Biggielow was obliged to retire. ”You mean about the senators.h.i.+p?” asked Joe.
”Yes. The senator died this morning. Harrington will make a fight for it.
He has many friends.”
”Among whom you count yourself, doubtless,” remarked Joe.
”Not politically, of course. I take no active part”--
”Yes, I know.” Joe knew the remainder of the sentence by heart. ”Then you will have a glorious opportunity for maintaining an armed neutrality.”
”Oh, if it comes to that,” said Vancouver mildly, ”I would rather see Harrington senator than some of our own men. At all events, he is honest.”
”At all events!” Joe repeated. ”You think, perhaps, that some man of your own party may be elected who will not turn out to be honest?”
”Well, the thing is possible. You see, politics are such a dirty business--all kinds of men get in.”
Joe laughed in a way that made Vancouver nervous. He was beginning to know her, and he could tell when some sharp thrust was coming by the way she laughed. Nevertheless, he was fascinated by her.
”It is not long since you told me that Mr. Harrington's very mild remark about extinguis.h.i.+ng bribery and corruption was a piece of gross exaggeration,” said Joe. ”Why do you say politics are dirty work?”
”There is a great difference,” answered Vancouver.