"You began talking about Mr. Harrington's speech," said she presently, "but we got away from the subject. Is it all true?" "That is scarcely a fair question, Miss Thorn," answered Vancouver. "You see, I belong to the opposite party in politics." "But Mr. Harrington said he wanted both parties to combine. Besides, you do not take any active part in it all." "I have very strong opinions, nevertheless," replied Pocock. "Strong opinions and activity ought to go together," said Joe. "Not always." "But if you have strong opinions and disagree with Mr. Harrington," persisted Miss Thorn, "then you have a strong opinion against your two parties acting together for the common good." "Not exactly that," said Vancouver, embarrassed between the directness of Joe's question and a very strong impression that he had better not say anything against John Harrington. "Then what do you believe? Will you please give this cup to Miss Schenectady?" Vancouver rose quickly to escape. "Cream and sugar, Miss Schenectady?" he said. "Ah, Miss Thorn has already put them in. It is such celebrated tea of yours! Do you know, I always look forward to a cup of it as one of the greatest pleasures in life!" "When you have quite done praising the tea, will you please tell me what you believe about Mr. Harrington's speech?" said the inexorable Joe, drowning her aunt's reply to Vancouver's polite remark. Thus cornered, Vancouver faced the difficulty. "I believe it was a very good speech," he said mildly. "Do you believe what he said was true?" "A great deal of it was true, but I assure you that Harrington is very enthusiastic. Much of it was extremely imaginative." "I dare say; all that about making a Civil Service, I suppose?" "Well, not exactly. I think all good Republicans hope to have a regular Civil Service some day. It is necessary, or will be so before long." "But then it is what he said about that ridiculous Navigation Act that you object to?" pursued Joe, without mercy. "Really, I think it would be an advantage to repeal it. It is only kept up for the sake of a few builders who have influence." "Ah, I see," exclaimed Joe triumphantly, "you think the hope he expressed that bribery and that sort of thing might be suppressed was altogether imaginary?" "I hope not, Miss Thorn. But I am sure there is not nearly so much of it as he made out. It was a very great exaggeration." "Was there? Really, he only used the word once in the most general way. I remember very well, at the end; he said, 'when bribery, corruption, and all extortion are crushed forever;' anybody might say that!" "You make out a wonderfully good case, Miss Thorn," said Vancouver, who was not altogether pleased; "was the speech printed before Harrington spoke it this evening?" "No!" exclaimed Joe. "I have a very good memory, in that way, just to remember what I hear. I could repeat word for word everything he said, and everything you have said since during the evening."