trying to flirt. It'll do you no end of good to meet these people
socially. You'll be surprised to see how respectful and eager
they'll all be if you become a recognized social favorite. For
real snobbishness give me your friends, the common people, when
they get up where they can afford to put on airs. Why, even the
President has a sneaking hankering after fashionable people. I
tell you, in Washington EVERYTHING goes by social favor, just as
it does in London--and would in Paris if fashionable society would
deign to notice the Republic."

"Introduce me to old Towler," said Craig, curt and bitter. He was
beginning to feel that Arkwright was at least in part right; and
it angered him for the sake of the people from whom he had sprung,
and to whom he had pledged his public career. "Then," he went on,
"I'm going home. And you'll see me among these butterflies and
hoptoads no more."

"Can't trust yourself, eh?" suggested Arkwright.

Craig flashed exaggerated scorn that was confession.

"I'll do better than introduce you to Towler," proceeded
Arkwright. "I'll present you to his daughter--a dyed and padded
old horror, but very influential with her father and all the older
crowd. Sit up to her, Josh. You can lay the flattery on as thick
as her paint and as high as her topknot of false hair. If she
takes to you your fortune's made."

"I tell you, my fortune is not dependent on--" began Craig
vehemently.