"
"I should resent that. It would have been a delicate compliment, and he
owed that much to you. I'm afraid he has been a politician long enough
to be like all the rest--to walk up to power on men as one uses a flight
of stairs, and then to put the stairs behind his back; for one doesn't
walk up-stairs backward."
He flushed more deeply.
"I'm not that kind of a fellow--jealous, or petty, or expecting a great
deal for what little service I can render."
"Put a value on yourself, though," she advised him. "It really isn't
human nature, you know, to pick up the things that are thrown away by
the owners--to pick them up and keep them and value them, I mean. That
applies to purses and all other possessions, including hearts and
loyalty."
He started to say something to her--even though the throng pressed about
them he would have said it; but the voice of the crier at the door
announced what all were waiting for.
"His Excellency the Governor, the Honorable Council, and his Excellency
the Governor-elect and party!"
They filed along in dignified procession down the centre aisle, the
uniforms of the officers of the staff giving a touch of color and
brightness to the formal frock-coats.
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