Langdon nodded approvingly, then a twinkle shone in his eyes.

“We don’t believe in parties in Mississippi,” he drawled.  “We’ve only one—­the Democratic party,—­and a few kickers.”

Haines grinned broadly at this description of Southern politics.

“What was this you were saying about national politics?” continued the Mississippian.  “I’m a beginner, you know, and I’m always ready to learn.”

“This is a new thing—­a reporter teaching a Senator politics,” laughed Haines.

Senator Langdon joined in the merriment.

“I reckon reporters could teach United States Senators lots of things, Mr. Haines, if the Senators had sense enough to go to school.  Now, I come up here on a platform the chief principle of which is the naval base for the gulf.  Now, how are we going to put that through?  My State wants it.”

“You’re probably sure it will be a wonderful thing for the country and the South,” suggested Haines.

“Of course.”

“But why do you think most of the Congressmen and Senators will vote for it?”

The Southerner took off his hat, leaned back and gazed across the lobby thoughtfully.

“Seems to me the benefit to the South and country would be sufficient reason, Mr. Haines,” he finally replied.

The newspaper man’s brain worked rapidly.  Going over the entire conversation with Langdon and what he had seen of him, he was certain that the Mississippian believed what he said—­that, moreover, the belief was deeply rooted.  His long newspaper training had educated Haines in the ways of men, their actions and mental processes—­what naturally to expect from a given set of circumstances.  He felt a growing regard, an affection, for this unassuming old man before him, who did not know and probably would be slow to understand the hypocrisy, the cunning trickery of lawmakers who unmake laws.

“Sufficient reason for you, Senator,” Haines added.  “You have not been in politics very long, have you?” he queried dryly.

A wry smile wrinkled the Mississippian’s face.

“Been in long enough to learn some unpleasant things I didn’t know before.”  He remembered Martin Sanders.

“Will you allow me to tell you a few more?” asked Haines.

Langdon inclined his head in acquiescence.  “Reckon I’d better know the worst and get through with it.”

“Well, then, Senator, somebody from Nebraska will vote for what you want in the way of the naval base because he’ll think then you’ll help him demand money to dredge some muddy creek that he has an interest in.

“Somebody in Pennsylvania will vote for it because he owes a grudge and wants to hurt the Philadelphia ship people.

“You’ll get the Democrats because it’s for the South, but if your bill was for the west coast they might fight it tooth and nail, even with the Japanese fleet cruising dangerously near.

“And the Republicans may vote for it because they see a chance to claim glory and perhaps break the solid South in the next presidential campaign.  You catch the idea?”