“That’s all right,” his father declared. “You were a headstrong youngster; and I didn’t know how to control you. An unruly colt takes careful handling. I’m not a--tactful man. But I’ll be damned if I can see how you can take this from the man you call your friend.” Wint smiled slowly, and he said: “That’s three times in two minutes you’ve said ‘damn,’ dad. Cut it out. Don’t get profane in your excitement. Routt’s all right, really. Don’t swear at him.” “Do you realize that he’s saying you’re drinking as regularly as ever, while you pretend to keep this a dry town?” “Well, no one will believe him.” “You can find men to believe anything; and there are plenty in Hardiston that want to believe anything against you.” “Let them,” said Wint confidently. “There are plenty who will stand back of me.” “But what are you going to do about it?” “I’m not going to call names,” Wint told him cheerfully. “I’ll fight it out quietly and decently; and I’ll win. That’s what I mean to do.” “You act as though you had expected this.” “Well, as a matter of fact, Jack came to me and told me, before he told any one else, that he was going to run. And he warned me he was going to make it a real fight.” “A real fight? This is assassination!” Wint laughed. “You’re taking it too hard. I know it’s just because you’re--proud of me. Are you going to back me in this?” Chase frowned. “As a matter of fact, Wint, I’m in a hard position. I want to back you--of course. But I can’t stomach Caretall. If you weren’t tied up with him.” “He’s been a pretty good friend to me. Can’t you take him on that ground?” “If I tied up with him, I’d be called a bootlicker, and justly. After what he did to me, I can’t cater to him and keep my self-respect.” “Pshaw, dad! The world has a short memory. That’s all forgotten.” “I’ve not forgotten.” “Every one else has.” “I’m not talking about every one else. I’m talking about my own self-respect.” They had finished supper; and they got up and went into the other room. Mrs. Chase--she was doing her own work since Hetty had left her--began to clear away the dishes. In the sitting room, Wint said: “I’ve been counting on you, dad.” Chase said: “I’ll do what I can--quietly. But I can not come out in the open and side with Amos. If he’d turn against you....” Wint laughed. “I might kick up a row with him.” “You’ll never regret breaking with Caretall. He’s a crooked politician of the worst type, without honor. A traitor to his own friends. He’ll be a traitor to you when it pleases him.” His son said quickly: “Don’t. Please don’t talk against him to me. Let’s just not talk about him. After all, he’s been square to me.” Chase flung up his hand. “All right. But how about Routt? Are you going to sit still and take the mud he’s throwing?” “Jack will be too busy to throw mud, pretty soon,” Wint promised cheerfully. “Mud is trimmings. I’ll bring him down to brass tacks.” “You ought to shut his lying--” “Come, dad, don’t take it so seriously.”