“Next election. Tait's out with me now, and he'll get a knife in when he can. Beckett, Freiburger, and Tuttle will probably be on edge before next spring. That's too soon. Now--if I can get the parks and Boulevard done, I'm willing to call off without a row. I want the Manual Training School too. But Tuttle's going to get some rake off out of that. Can't help it. Anyway Tuttle will see it's a good enough job. I don't mind Cam, and John Murphy's indecent, but reasonable. But Freiburger's going to be a holy terror. I don't see that I can run with that crowd, and I don't see how it can be altered much at present. If I split it they'll lose the election. Now--I think it'll split of itself, and I'd be of more use without the responsibility of having split it. I think so. Anyhow, I'm going to have something to show people for my innings.” “Just so.” After another silence Secor said: “What was Wood's idea? D'you know?” “He thought it would split of itself.” “Think so? Well, I've a notion he had a soft side to him, and you'd got on it. Well--I don' know. Seemed to me that way. What then?” “Oh, I'll go out. I don't want it anyway. I want my father's job. Maybe I'm a bit of a Puritan, Secor, and maybe not, but when the heelers get restless to explosion, and the Reformers grimmer around the mouth because the city isn't rosy and polite, and my general utility's gone, I expect to thank God, and go back to pile-driving exclusive. But I want time.” “Just so. I can keep Beckett and Tuttle from being too soon, maybe. That what you want of me?” “Yes.” “You say 'Wood's machine,'” Hennion went on after a while. “It's a poor metaphor, 'machine politics,' 'machine organisation.' Why, being an engineer, I ought to know a machine when I see one. I've analysed Wood's organisation, and I tell you you can't apply one bottom principle of dynamics to it to fit. The machinery is full of ghosts.” The two smoked a while, and Hennion said: “How about Aidee?” “Ho! I don't see why he won't stay in Port Argent.” “He won't. I asked him.” “You don't say so! Why, there you are! I had a notion you two might team it together, come along time enough.” “It won't work.” “Ho! Well! I dare say. Maybe you know why.” another silence. Secor said at last: