“That’s the way with all these men of his type on both sides; they have no real loyalty; they will sacrifice their parties any time just to further personal ends, or in this case it would seem to have been out of sheer bad temper.  I didn’t use to think Bassett had any temper or any kind of emotional organization.  But when he’s mad it’s the meanest kind of mad, blind and revengeful.”

“He’s forced an extra session—­he’s brought that on us.  Just chew on that a minute, Dan.  A Republican governor has got to reassemble a Democratic legislature merely to correct its own faults.  It looks well in print, by George!  Speaking of print, how did he come to let go of the ‘Courier,’ and who owns that sheet anyway?  I thought when Thatcher sprung that suit and dragged our Aunt Sally into it, the Wabash River would run hot lava for the next forty years.  But that night of the ball she and Mort stood there on the firing-line as though nothing had ever happened.”

Harwood grinned and shook his head gravely.

“There are some things, Colonel, that even to a good friend like you I can’t give away.  Besides, I promised Atwill not to tell.”

“All right, Dan.  And now, for fear you may think I’ve got something up my sleeve, I want to say to you with my hand on my heart that I don’t want any office now or ever!”

“Now, Colonel, be very careful!” laughed Dan.

“No; I’m not up here on a fishing-trip.  But I want you to know where I stand and the friendly feeling of a whole lot of people toward you.  You say the younger men are getting tired of the old boss system; I’ll tell you that a lot of the old fellows too are beginning to get restless.  The absurdity of the whole game on both sides is beginning to get into the inner consciousness of the people.  You know if I had stayed regular when the free-silver business came on I might have been in a position now to play for the governorship—­which is the only thing I ever wanted; rather nice to be governor of your own state, and have your name scratched on a slab at the State House door; it’s even conceivable, Daniel, that a man might do a little good—­barely possible,” he concluded dryly.  “I’m out of it now for good; but anything I can do to help you, don’t wait to write, just telephone me.  Now—­”

“I’m not so sure you can’t make it yet; I’d like to see you there.”

“Thanks, Daniel; but like you I’m in the ranks of the patriots and not looking for the pie counter.  Here’s another matter.  Do you mind telling me what you’re up to in this White River Canneries business?  I notice that you’ve been sticking the can-opener into it.”

“Yes; that protest of the original stockholders against the reorganization is still pending.  As administrator of the estate of Professor Kelton—­you remember him—­Madison College—­I filed a petition to be let into the case.  It’s been sleeping along for a couple of years—­stockholders too poor to put up a fight.  I’ve undertaken to probe clear into the mire.  I’ve got lots of time and there’s lots of mire!”