s one thing--the biggest he ever has asked of
you. It's a matter between the Thorntons, boy!"

There had been an appeal in his voice that was near wistfulness. And
while he talked the wisdom that had come from the mouth of a child that
evening threaded its own quaint appeal into the argument of the
grandfather. Resentment and obstinacy, if they be tempered with youth,
cannot fight long against affection and the ties of blood.

Harlan took his grandfather's hand.

"That's my boy!" cried the Duke, heartily, and he slipped his arm about
his grandson's shoulders and patted him.

"It straightens things out a good deal," observed Presson, with the
practicality of the politician. "Harlan, you're going to find a winter
at the State House worth while. With your grandfather to set you going
right and post you up, you ought to make good."

"I'd like to have a little light on one point," remarked the young man,
curtly. He felt again the irritating prick of resentment. "What am I to
be down to that legislature--myself, or Thelismer Thornton's grandson?"

"You can't afford to throw good advice over your shoulder," protested
the chairman--"not when it comes from a man that's had fifty years of
experience."

"Hold on, Luke, don't set the boy off on the wrong track. I know how he
feels. Harlan, you're going down there just as I said you're going--with
an open mind, clean hands, good, straight American spirit to do right
just so far as a man in politics can do right! I want you to see for
yourself. If you want my help in anything you shall have it. But it'll
be Gramp advising his boy--not a boss, hectoring. Believe that!"

"You needn't be afraid of the city fellows," advised Presson.

Harlan stood up before them, earnest, intense, determined.

"A fellow placed as I have been has this much advantage over city chaps,
and I'm going to take courage from it," he said: "I've had a chance to
read. There are long evenings in the woods, and I haven't been able or
obliged to kill time at clubs and parties. I have read, Mr. Presson. I
don't know how much good it has done me. That remains to be found out.
Perhaps a fellow who reads and hasn't real experience gets a wrong
viewpoint. But this much I do believe: a man can be honest, himself, in
politics, and can find enough honest men to stand with him. I'm going to
try, at any rate. For if there's any dependence to be put in what I read
there's something serious the matter in public affairs.