"
He invited Harlan by a nod of the head, and they went out and strolled
in the maple grove behind the house.
"I suppose you think by this time, bub, that I'm in my second childhood,
and playing dime novel. But there are some things in politics that have
to be done as gentle and careful as picking a rose petal off a
school-ma'am's shoulder." The Duke chuckled and smoked for a time. "When
I've had a job of that sort to do I haven't even talked to myself,
Harlan. So you mustn't think I'm distrustful of you because I don't tell
you what's on."
"I'm willing to wait," said his grandson.
"Learn your lesson, Harlan--the one I'm trying to teach you now. I never
knew but one man who could keep his mouth shut under all circumstances
when he felt it was his duty to do so. That was old Ben Holt. He's dead
now. He fell off a bridge on his way to church and didn't holler 'Help!'
for fear of breaking the Sabbath. You don't find any more of that kind
in these days--not in political matters. I'm not distrusting you, I say,
but I'm teaching you the lesson.
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