"In it!" exclaimed Langdon. "Well, if this is it, it isn't so bad. I see you use a painless method. When I was down in Vicksburg a reporter backed me up in a corner, slipped his hand in his hip pocket and pulled out a list of questions just three feet four inches long. "He wanted to know what I thought concerning the tariff on aluminium hydrates, and how I stood about the opening of the Tento Pu Reservation of the Comanche Indians, and what were my ideas about the differential rate of hauls from the Missouri River. "He was a wonder, that fellow! Kinder out of place on a Mississippi paper. I started to offer him a job, but he was so proud I was afraid he wouldn't accept it. However, it gives you my idea of a reporter." "If you've been against that, I ought to thank you for talking to me," laughed Haines. "Then you don't want to know anything about that sort of stuff?" said Langdon, with a huge sigh of relief. "No, Senator," was the amused reply. "I think generally if I know what sort of a man a man is I can tell a great deal about what he will think on various questions." Langdon started interestedly. "You mean, Mr. Haines, if you know whether I'm honest or not you can fit me up with a set of views. Is that the idea? Seems to me you're the sort of man I'm looking for." The other smilingly shook his head. "I wouldn't dare fix up a United States Senator with a set of views," he said. "I only mean that I think what a man is is important. I've been doing Washington for a number of years. I've had an exceptional opportunity to see how politics work. I don't believe in party politics. I don't believe in parties, but I do believe in men." 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.