"There is such a thing as running the two on a double track," returned
Mr. Thornton, serene but non-committal. He whirled on Sylvester, his
mien that of the commander-in-chief disposing his forces in the face of
the enemy: "Talleyrand, you'll find fifty more quedaws out there after
Cobb takes his pick. Take them down to Aunt Charette's and have her set
out her best. And keep 'em well bunched and handy!"

He reached through an open window and filled the pockets of his crash
suit with cigars from a box on a stand.

"Now, Luke," he invited, blandly, "let's go to a legislative district
caucus. I haven't bothered to attend one for a good many years, but this
one on the docket now gives signs of being interesting."

They walked down the dusty road toward the village. The State chairman
was silent, with the air of a man pondering matters he does not
understand; but the Hon. Thelismer Thornton beamed upon all he met.
Having a certainty to deal with, and a tangible enemy in sight, he
seemed at ease. He felt like one who has recovered from dizzying blows
and is on trail of the enemy who dealt them. He was himself again.

A few of those he met he greeted with especial cordiality. To some he
gave cigars, not with the air of one seeking favor, not with the cheap
generosity of the professional politician, but with the manner of one
taking paternal interest in the conduct of a good child. It was an act
that seemed to go with his handclasp and smile. He caught the State
chairman looking at him rather doubtfully on one of these occasions.

"The folks understand this thing up here," he said. "When those chaps
were young ones I used to give them a stick of candy. Now that they are