She looked around cautiously to see if Peter was noticing. No, he was drowsing forward, letting the horses choose their own way. She undid quietly the end of the box of lunch, and took out a sandwich. Real chicken breast! The sisters of the Zion Church certainly did do things up in style. XXX The visit of the president of the National Steel Company was the floodtide of the year to Adamsville. On Paul Judson, both as President of the Commercial Club and through his connection with the mining companies, fell the largest share of the reflected glamor from the guest's powerful personality. After the luncheon at the new Steelmen's Club, the party crowded into cars, to inspect the region's mineral development. "Eight solid miles of mountain here," Paul's inclusive gesture swept the stretch from Hazelton to far beyond North Adamsville up the valley, "five other locations within a ten mile radius ... seventeen camps in all." "It's a big plant, Mr. Judson." "It's the largest in the South, sir. Coal yonder," he indicated the valley beyond Shadow Mountain, "only nine miles as the crow flies. The cheapest iron and steel region in the world. They don't grow that close together in Pittsburgh, the Lakes, or anywhere." "A wonderful opportunity.... We're prepared to talk business." "So are we." Both smiled the comprehending smile of men of achievement. Sam Ross and urbane Judge Florence took the visitor for a round of the patent tipples. "We're just getting over a little strike in these mines," the Judge expanded. "I've followed it. Came out all right, didn't it?" "Oh, yes. But do you know, those fellows hung out for over a year! And they were beaten from the start." "I know. In the Colorado trouble----" Reminiscences came in opulent detail. Governor Tennant, a member of the receiving party, stayed behind for a word with Paul. "Did Jerry Florence speak to you for me?" "Not yet...." "He will, when he has the chance. My second term's up next year, Paul. The state wants a business governor. Adamsville hasn't had her chance for five terms.... Would you?..." The owner of the mines drove his hands into his pockets, clenched to mask the sudden exhilaration. His voice remained unthrilled. "It's out of my line, Bob.... I doubt if it could go through." "Not a doubt of it. The primary's the election, remember; we can make the papers and the politicians so insistent, that you can't refuse. You'd hardly have opposition." "I'll see what the Judge thinks.... You'll hear from me by Friday." "The offer stands." The people's executive motored after the guest cars. Paul Judson stood alone on the old cottage crest, surveying the overnight growth of the city toward his mountain. The houses on East Highlands had lapped closer and closer, until they broke in a spray over the foothills of the ore-rich summit.