Whereupon Peter begged to introduce himself as an ardent amateur
statesman, a student of good government from New Hampshire to New
Zealand and from Plato to Lincoln Steffens, who had--er--come to Hunston
hoping to see something of the fight for reform. The candidate, in turn,
produced cards. It became apparent that he bore the name of J. Pinkney
Hare. And the upshot of the colloquy was that the two young men
presently found themselves invited to call upon Candidate Hare next
morning, and learn something of the situation.

"I'll be delighted," accepted Peter promptly,--"delighted."

"That's settled then. Good-night--and thanks awf'ly for your
assistance."

He pivoted on his trim heels, abruptly, and went away up the side
street.

Peter turned to Varney with a faint grin. "That chap gets his first
lesson in the art of being a reformer to-morrow. Curious, wasn't
it?--stumbling right into the heart of the agitation an hour after we
hit the town."

Varney, who had followed Peter's activities of the last five minutes
with considerable disapproval, did not answer his smile.

"Give me a hasty sketch of your conception of a quiet onlooker, will
you, Peter?"

"Tush!" said Peter. "Why, can't you see that this sort of thing will