"I really do not know that I ought to shake hands with you, Dick," began Betty, tossing her hat on the piano. "You have deceived me for years." "Deceived you! What do you mean?"--mightily disturbed. "Wait a moment." She brought forth a paper. "Sit down in front of me. This is going to be a court of inquiry, and your sins shall be passed in review." He obeyed meekly. "Now listen," the girl went on, mischief in her eyes; "this paper says horrid things about you. It claims that you have given riotous dinners to actresses and comic-opera singers. I classify them because I do not think comic-opera singers are actresses." "Rot!" said Williard, crossing his legs and eying with pleasure the contours of her face. "Jolly rot!" "You mustn't say 'jolly' in this country; it's English, and they'll be accusing you of it." "Well, bally rot; how will that go?" "That isn't very pretty, but it will pass. Now, to proceed. They say that your private life is profligate." "Oh, come now, Betty!" laughing diffidently. "They say that you gamble at poker and win and lose huge sums." "Your father plays poker in Washington; I've seen him." "He's not on trial; _you_ are. Furthermore," went on the girl, the twinkle going from her eye, leaving it searching yet unfathomable, "this editor says that you are only a dummy in this game of politics, and that once you are mayor, your signature will be all that will be required of you. That is to say, you will be nothing but a puppet in the hands of the men who brought about your election." Williard thought of Matthews, and the smile on his lips died. "Now, Dick, this paper says that it seeks only the truth of things, and admits that you possess certain engaging qualities. What am I to believe?" "Betty, you know very well that they'll have me robbing the widows before election." He was growing restless. He felt that this trial wasn't all play. "If you don't mind, I'd rather talk of something else. Politics, politics, morning, noon and night until my ears ache!" "Or burn," suggested the girl. "The things they say about your private life--I don't care for them. I know that they are not truths. But the word 'puppet' annoys me." She laid aside the paper. "Have I ever acted like a dummy, Betty? In justice to me, have I?" He was serious. "Not in ordinary things." "No one has ever heard that I broke a promise." "No." "Or that I was cowardly." "No, no!" "Well, if I am elected, I shall fool certain persons. I am easy-going; I confess to that impeachment; but I have never been crossed successfully." "They'll know how to accomplish their ends without crossing you. That's a part of the politician's business."