“Freiburger won't cost you much,” Hen-nion murmured after a while. Wood swung softly in his chair. “Got something on your mind, ain't you, Dick?” “Oh, yes. Of course. But I don't know what it is. I've fished for it till I'm tired. I've analysed Freiburger, and didn't get much. Now I'd like to examine your soul in a strong chemical solution. Maybe I'm a bit embarrassed.” Wood chuckled. “Go ahead. Most men 'll lie, if you give 'em time to rearrange their ideas. Well--it won't take me so long.” His manner became genial. “You've got a good head, Dick. Well--I'll tell what I'm thinking. It's this. The old man 'll have to drop his job one of these days, and--if you're feeling for pointers--I don't say you are, but supposing you are--I don't mind saying I shall back you to head the organization. Maybe--well,--in fact, I don't suppose there's much money in it you'd care to touch--maybe there ain't any--but there's a place for the right man. I like you. I liked your father. He was built something your way. The boys want somebody over 'em that won't wriggle off the safety valve, and knows how to pick up punkins peacefully as they come. This First Ward business--well, you've got a pretty good grip through the crowd to begin with.” “Now there!” broke in Hennion. “You and Aidee are both trying to do the same thing. You want to get me into politics. I don't care for your primaries and committees. I don't see ten cents' difference to the city which party runs it. I dare say whoever runs it expects to make a living out of it. Why do you both come to me?” “I guess we've both got an idea you're useful.” Hennion thought a moment and then spoke more quietly. “Henry Champney used to boss this section. He did it from the platform instead of the committee room. And my father handled bigger contracts than I've touched yet. But Champney didn't ask him to run his canal into the next caucus, or furnish stray batches of constituents with jobs. Understand, I'm not grumbling about the last. Champney stayed on his platform, and my father stayed in his big ditch and dug. The proper thing now seems to be for everybody to get into the street and row around together. Here's Aidee too thinks he's got to jump into it now, and take with him--take with him everything he can' reach.” “That's straight,” murmured Wood. “So they do.” “Yes, and I call off, myself.”