“Is it a party?”

“No, just the family.  That shows how intimate I have become with the Vetches.  Don’t tell Cousin Harriet, or she would think I was beginning to corrupt your politics.  But I may use my influence to find out what the Governor intends to do about the strike, and a cousin with a political secret is worth having.”

With a laugh Stephen went on his way, wondering vaguely what there was about the woman at the window, Mrs. Green Corinna had called her, that made it impossible for him to rid his mind of her?  Glancing back from the end of the block, he saw that Corinna had entered the shop and that the curtains at the upper window had been pushed back again while the dim face of Mrs. Green looked down into the street.  Was she watching for some one?  Or was she merely relieving the monotony of life indoors by gazing down into Franklin Street at an hour when it was almost deserted?

CHAPTER XIV

A LITTLE LIGHT ON HUMAN NATURE

Corinna had not expected to see the Governor until luncheon next day; but, to her surprise, he came to the shop just as she was about to lock the door and go home for the afternoon.  At first she thought that the visit was merely a casual one—­it was not unusual for him to drop in as he was going by—­but he had no sooner glanced about the room to see if they were alone than he broke out with his characteristic directness.

“There is something I want to ask you.  Will you answer me frankly?”

“That depends.  Tell me what it is and then I will answer your question.”

“It is about Patty.  You’ve seen a great deal of her, haven’t you?”

“A great deal.  I am very fond of her.”

“Then perhaps you can tell me if she is interested in this young Culpeper?”

For a minute Corinna struggled against a burst of hysterical laughter.  Oh, if Cousin Harriet had only met him here, she thought, what a comedy they would have made!

“Surely if any one has an opinion about that, it must be you,” she rejoined as gravely as she could.

“I haven’t; not the shadow of one.”  He was plainly puzzled.  “I thought you might help me.  You have a way of seeing things.”

“Have I?” The spontaneous tribute touched her.  “I wish I could see this, but I can’t.  Frankly, since you ask me, I may say that I have been troubled about it.  There are things that Patty hides, even from me, and I think I have her confidence.”

“I dare say you wonder why I have come to you to-day,” he said.  “I can handle most situations; but I have never had to handle the love affairs of a girl, and I’m perfectly capable of making a mess of them.  Things like that are outside of my job.”