"Oh, I see how the land lies! You can understand now how old I am--old and cold with all the romance burned out of me! I'd forgotten that there's anything except politics left in the world. So--" He paused, beaming kindly on the young man, and pursing his lips ready for the jocose supposition that Harlan foresaw and anticipated. "No," he declared, flushing, "it isn't that way. It hasn't gone that far, Governor. I ask your pardon for mentioning my personal affairs, especially an affair of this sort. But I should be very sorry to break off my friendship with the Pressons." The Governor went back to his chair, and sat down in it. He wrinkled his brows and took a long survey of his embarrassed caller. "I'm afraid I spoke of the case of our mutual friend Presson in rather harsh terms. It would not work like that. Of course, he would bow to the inevitable if such a law were passed. But if it becomes a personal matter in any respect, Mr. Thornton, do you believe that any member of Presson's family would be offended if Presson were made to obey the law?" "Well, if he persisted against the new law, it would be a pretty hard position for any fair person to defend," admitted the young man. "I think we may depend on it that this young person, admittedly 'fair'--at my age I can be allowed to bestow that compliment--will respect your integrity. I do not command you to do the service--I cannot do that. But I shall be disappointed if you allow personal reasons to interfere with your public duties. I have depended on you to do it. I have only a few that I can trust." At that instant, in the presence of this man who had sacrificed so much, Harlan felt that his own interests were too petty for consideration. He put the document into his pocket. "Forgive me for hesitating, Governor Waymouth. I'm afraid I'll never make a very good public servant. But I'll try to hold my eyes straight ahead after this." "Keep the paper in your pocket. Think it all over. You're at the place every man reaches. What you want to do and what you ought to do split very sharply sometimes. I'll let you decide. I have no more to say."