"I've been amusing myself," said Crazy with a drawl, "organising the Mugwumps, the intelligent and independent vote, the balance of power, you know, the party that doesn't heel to any boss, but votes according to its, to its----" "To its what, Crazy?" said Hickey, gently. "To its conscience," replied Crazy firmly. "To its conscience, when its conscience is intelligently approached." "Oh, you're for sale, are you?" said Turkey aggressively. "No, Turkey, no-o-o! And yet we've organised the Blocks of Five Marching Club; rather significant, eh?" "Well, what's your game; what have you come for?" "Oh, just to be friendly," said Crazy, rising languidly. "Stop," said Hickey. "Sit down. Let's have a few words." Crazy slouched back, sunk into the armchair and assumed a listening position. "Crazy," said Hickey, "we've made a mistake. We didn't know you. You are the surprise of the campaign. We apologise. We are merely amateurs; you are the only original, professional politician." "This is very gratifying," said Crazy, without a blush. "Crazy, from this moment," said Hickey, firmly, "you are the treasurer of the Campaign Committee, and we're listening for any words of wisdom you have ready to uncork." "No, Hickey, no," said Crazy, rising amid general dismay, "I no longer hanker to be a treasurer. It was just a passing fancy. Independence is better and more profitable; I appreciate your kind offer, I do appreciate it, Hickey, but I'm a Mugwump; I couldn't wear a dog-collar, I couldn't!" "Sit down again, Crazy," said Hickey, persuasively; "sit down. It's a pleasure to talk with you. You're right; your independent and intelligent nature would be thrown away in a matter of books and figures. We've been looking round for a fearless, upright, popular and eloquent figure to stand for the Cleve, and, Crazy, we're just aching to have you step up into the frame." "Hickey, you mistake me, you mistake me and my motives," said Crazy, sadly. "My soul does not hanker for personal glorification or the flattery of the multitude. I'm a child of nature, Hickey, and my ambitions are few and simple." "It's right to have ambitions, Crazy," said Hickey, soothingly, "and they don't need to be few or simple. We regret that we cannot honour your eminent qualities as we wish to, but we still have hopes, Crazy, that we may have the benefit of your guiding hand." "Guiding hand?" said Crazy, looking at the ceiling. "Exactly," said Hickey, magnanimously; "in fact, I realise how unworthy I am to fill the great position of trust and responsibility of vice-chairman of this committee, and I long to see it in the hands----" "I thought you said guiding hand," said Crazy, interrupting. The assembled committee looked in amazement at Crazy. Then the storm broke out. "Why, you insolent, impudent pup!" "Do you think we'll make you chairman?" "Kick him out!" "Rough-house!" "Order!" cried Cheyenne. "Crazy, out with it. You want to be chairman, don't you?"