"Do you count the presidency so lightly?" "No American can count it lightly." "You face political suicide. Do you fancy your renomination for this office possible?" "No. I have weighed that, too." "And your virtue is unshaken?" The governor smiled at the sneer. "Oh, I'm past all that," he said. "I took the precaution to veto the bill before you came to tempt." With uncertain step the old leader turned and made his way to the door, where he paused to vent his bewildered, yet sincere judgment. "I've never met anybody quite like you in politics, Shelby," he owned, almost kindly. "You are a paradox--a sort of admirable fool."