“Judge,” he said, “you sent for me.  You have asked me questions which I felt obliged in honesty to answer.  God knows I don’t wish to differ with you, but circumstances seem always against us.  I will talk plainly, if you will let me.  I try to look at things from your point of view.  I know that you believe that a political system should go hand in hand with the great commercial system which you are engaged in building.  I disagree with your beliefs, but I do not think that your pursuit of them has not been sincere, and justified by your conscience.  I suppose that you sent for me to know whether Mr. Gaylord has employed me to lobby for his bill.  He has not, because I refused that employment.  But I will tell you that, in my opinion, if a man of any ability whatever should get up on the floor of the House and make an argument for the Pingsquit bill, the sentiment against the Northeastern and its political power is so great that the House would compel the committee to report the bill, and pass it.  You probably know this already, but I mention it for your own good if you do not, in the hope that, through you, the Northeastern Railroads may be induced to relax their grip upon the government of this State.”

The Honourable Hilary advanced, until only the marble-topped table was between himself and his son.  A slight noise in the adjoining room caused him to turn his head momentarily.  Then he faced Austen again.

“Did you tell Gaylord this?” he asked.

Austen made a gesture of distaste, and turned away.

“No,” he said, “I reserved the opinion, whatever it is worth, for your ears alone.”

“I’ve heard that kind of calculation before,” said the Honourable Hilary.  “My experience is that they never come to much.  As for this nonsense about the Northeastern Railroads running things,” he added more vigorously, “I guess when it’s once in a man’s head there’s no getting it out.  The railroad employs the best lawyers it can find to look after its interests.  I’m one of ’em, and I’m proud of it.  If I hadn’t been one of ’em, the chances are you’d never be where you are, that you’d never have gone to college and the law school.  The Republican party realizes that the Northeastern is most vitally connected with the material interests of this State; that the prosperity of the road means the prosperity of the State.  And the leaders of the party protect the road from vindictive assaults on it like Gaylord’s, and from scatterbrains and agitators like your friend Redbrook.”

Austen shook his head sadly as he gazed at his father.  He had always recognized the futility of arguments, if argument on this point ever arose between them.

“It’s no use, Judge,” he said.  “If material prosperity alone were to be considered, your contention would have some weight.  The perpetuation of the principle of American government has to be thought of.  Government by a railroad will lead in the end to anarchy.  You are courting destruction as it is.”