"Because I don't think the boys could have elected me," answered Austen, laughing. "He's as popular a man as there is in the county," declared Mr. Jenney. He was a mite wild as a boy, but sence he's sobered down and won that case against the railrud, he could get any office he'd a mind to. He's always adoin' little things for folks, Austen is." "Did--did that case against the railroad make him so popular?" asked Victoria, glancing at Austen's broad back--for he had made his escape with the cake. "I guess it helped considerable," Mr. Jenney admitted. "Why?" asked Victoria. "Well, it was a fearless thing to do--plumb against his own interests with old Hilary Vane. Austen's a bright lawyer, and I have heard it said he was in line for his father's place as counsel." "Do--do people dislike the railroad?" Mr. Jenney rubbed his beard thoughtfully. He began to wonder who this young woman was, and a racial caution seized him. "Well," he said, "folks has an idea the railrud runs this State to suit themselves. I guess they hain't far wrong. I've be'n to the Legislature and seen some signs of it. Why, Hilary Vane himself has charge of the most considerable part of the politics. Who be you?" Mr. Jenney demanded suddenly. "I'm Victoria Flint," said Victoria. "Godfrey!" exclaimed Mr. Jenney, "you don't say so! I might have known it--seen you on the rud more than once. But I don't know all you rich folks apart. Wouldn't have spoke so frank if I'd knowed who you was." "I'm glad you did, Mr. Jenney," she answered. "I wanted to know what people think." "Well, it's almighty complicated," said Mr. Jenney, shaking his head. "I don't know by rights what to think. As long as I've said what I have, I'll say this: that the politicians is all for the railrud, and I hain't got a mite of use for the politicians. I'll vote for a feller like Austen Vane every time, if he'll run, and I know other folks that will." After Mr. Jenney had left her, Victoria stood motionless, gazing off into the haze, until she was startled by the voice of Hastings Weare beside her. "Say, Victoria, who is that man?" he asked. "What man?" Hastings nodded towards Austen, who, with a cake basket in his hand, stood chatting with a group of country people on the edge of the porch. "Oh, that man!" said Victoria. "His name's Austen Vane, and he's a lawyer in Ripton." "All I can say is," replied Hastings, with a light in his face, "he's one I'd like to tie to. I'll bet he could whip any four men you could pick out." Considering that Hastings had himself proposed--although in a very mild form--more than once to Victoria, this was generous. "I daresay he could," she agreed absently. "It isn't only the way he's built," persisted Hastings, "he looks as if he were going to be somebody some day. Introduce me to him, will you?" "Certainly," said Victoria. "Mr. Vane," she called, "I want to introduce an admirer, Mr. Hastings Weare."