“Now, gentlemen, you have asked me for some assurances,” Briggs continued. “I might as well tell you frankly that I can only give you the assurance of my good faith, of my honesty of intention. I’ve made blunders in my career so far that I shall regret to my dying day. I’ve been the target of the sensational newspapers; but I don’t mind that. Many of the stories printed about me, I can honestly say, have been absolute calumnies. Some of the censure has been deserved. I suppose that the lesson of politics can’t be learned in a day. At any rate, it has taken me several bitter years to learn it, and I’m not sure that I’ve learned it all yet. But no matter how great my mistakes have been, in my heart I’ve always been in sympathy with clean politics. You know as well as I do that for the past few years I’ve been getting farther and farther away from my party. The other night I secured my nomination in the teeth of pretty strenuous opposition. Just now I have reason to believe that in the coming campaign I shall have to meet as enemies men who have been my strongest friends. As you probably know, a good many of my East Side supporters have gone back on me. This means a big loss. Even with the strength you might give me, my election would be doubtful. So, if you support me, you’ll gain very little for yourselves, I can tell you that. We might as well look the situation in the face, you know.” “Well, sir, the more enemies you make among the machine men the more willing we are to stand by you, Congressman,” said Farley. “The harder the fight the better we like it.” “That’s very consoling, Farley. Only you fellows had better go slow before you decide to try to whitewash me. To tell the truth, I don’t feel quite fit for your company. I’m not good enough for you. I’ve been a good deal of a machine man myself, you know.” Farley laughed. “That’s all right. We haven’t any objections to the machine. We only object to the men who are running it just at present.” “I don’t think it’s necessary to keep you on the rack any longer,” said De Witt, rising. The others rose too. “Thank you,” said Briggs, with a smile. “Will any of you gentlemen have a--? I always hesitate in asking any members of the Citizens’ Club.” “No, thank you,” said Saunders. “Too early in the morning.” The others shook their heads. “You’ll probably hear from us before long,” said Farley, at the door. XVIII The next morning after breakfast Helen Briggs followed her husband into the study. “I want to speak to you, Douglas,” she said. “Well?” He looked embarrassed, as he always did now on finding himself alone with her. “It is about this house,” she went on. “Have you done anything about renting it this Winter?” “No,” he replied, betraying a little impatience. “I’ve had other things to think about. Besides, I shall be over here now and then.” “But it would hardly pay to keep the house open for that,” she insisted, gently. “Besides, it would be gloomy for you here----”