“And how long shall you be here?” “I cannot say. I am attending the convention, and my stay will depend on that.” “Surely you are not a Democrat?” said Miss De Voe, a shade of horror showing itself in her face, in spite of her good breeding. In those days it was not, to put it mildly, a guarantee of respectability to belong to that party, and Miss De Voe had the strong prejudices of her social station, all the more because she was absolutely ignorant of political events. Peter said he was. “How can you be? When a man can ally himself with the best, why should he choose the worst?” “I think,” said Peter quietly, “that a Pharisee said the same thing, in different words, many hundred years ago.” Miss De Voe caught her breath and flushed. She also became suddenly conscious of the two girls who had come to the spring with her. They had been forgotten in the surprise over Peter, but now Miss De Voe wondered if they had heard his reply, and if they had enough Bible lore to enable them to understand the reproof. “I am sure you don’t mean that,” she said, in the sting of the moment. “I am very sorry,” said Peter, “if I made an unkind speech. What I meant was that no one has a right to pick out the best for himself. I am sure, from your letter to me, that you think a man should help those not as well off as himself.” “Oh, but that is very different. Of course we should be charitable to those who need our help, but we need not mix in their low politics.” “If good laws, and good administration can give the poor good food, and good lodgings, don’t you think the best charity is to ‘mix’ in politics, and try to obtain such results?” “I want you to know my two cousins,” Miss De Voe replied. “Dorothy, I wish to present Mr. Stirling. My cousin, Miss Ogden, and Miss Minna Ogden.” Peter saw two very pretty girls, and made a bow to them. “Which way are you walking?” asked Miss De Voe. “I have been tramping merely for exercise,” said Peter, “and stopped here to try the spring, on my way to the United States.” “It is hardly worth while, but if you will get into our carriage, we will drop you there. Or if you can spare the time, we will drive to our cottage, and then send you back to the hotel.” “Thank you,” said Peter, “but I shall only crowd you, I fear.” “No. There is plenty of room.” “Will the convention be interesting to watch, Mr. Stirling?” asked one of the girls, as soon as they were seated. “I don’t know,” Peter told her. “It is my first experience at it. There is pretty strong feeling, and that of course makes it interesting to the delegates, but I am not sure that it would be so to others.” “Will there be speeches, and cheers, and all that sort of thing?” “Yes.” “Cousin Anneke, won’t you take us? It will be such fun!” “Are spectators admitted, Mr. Stirling?” “I believe so. I heard something about tickets last night. If you care to go, I’ll see if I can get you some?” “Oh, please,” cried both girls.