But the Duke preserved his unruffled demeanor. He slowly made some
figures on the bottoms of the papers and passed the sheets to his
grandson.
"Fill in the checks and bring them out here and I'll sign 'em," he
directed. And as Harlan bent over him, he whispered: "You're playing
good politics now, boy. Stand up for the under dog. I see you're
remembering that you're a candidate."
"I'm only doing what's right," protested the young man.
"When you can be right and still play politics, you're getting ahead
fast," murmured the Duke. "Fill in the checks!"
"But you've increased their own appraisal! You're giving them more than
they've asked for!" Harlan was careless of the presence of the three
farmers.
"Well, wasn't it your own suggestion that we use these men right?"
demanded his grandfather. He gazed benignantly on the claimants. "I'm
square, myself, when it comes to my debts, boys. You all know that. But
Harlan argued your case last night in a way that's worth the extra
money. If he can do that here at home, first crack out of the box, when
it's our own money at stake, don't you think he'll do a pretty good job
for you down at the State House, where it'll be a case of the public
money?"
His grandson had gone into the house.
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