I just now recall a talk I had
with my wife, about that time. She took no interest in politics and
rarely spoke of political matters--and both of us discouraged political
talk before the children. One day she said to me: "This campaign of
yours and Mr. Burbank's must be costing an awful lot of money."

"A good deal," said I.

"Several millions?"

"This is a big country, and you can't stir it up politically for
nothing. Why do you ask?"

"Who gives the money?" she persisted.

"The rich men--the big corporations--give most of it."

"Why?"

"Patriotism," said I. "To save the nation from our wicked opponent."

"How do Mr. Roebuck and the others get it back?" she pursued, ignoring
my pleasantry.

"Get what back?"

"Why the money they advance. They aren't the men to _give_ anything."

I answered with a smile only.

She lapsed into thoughtfulness. When I was assuming that her mind had
wandered off to something else she said: "The people must be very
stupid--not to suspect."

"Or, the rich men and the corporations very stupid to give," I
suggested.

"Do you mean that they don't get it back?" she demanded.

"Of course," said I, "their patriotism must be rewarded. We can not
expect them to save the country year after year for nothing."

"I should think not!" she said, adding disgustedly, "I think politics is
very silly. And men get excited about it! But _I_ never listen."

Arriving at the "retreat" from the Scarborough convention, I found
Burbank much perturbed because Scarborough had been nominated. He did
not say so--on the contrary, he expressed in sonorous phrases his
satisfaction that there was to be "a real test of strength between
conservatism and radicalism." He never dropped his pose, even with
me--not even with himself.

"I confess I don't share your cheerfulness," said I. "If Scarborough
were a wild man, we'd have a walkover. But he isn't, and I fear he'll
be more and more attractive to the wavering voters, to many of our own
people. Party loyalty has been overworked in the last few presidential
campaigns. He'll go vote-hunting in the doubtful states, but it won't
seem undignified. He's one of those men whose dignity comes from the
inside and can't be lost."

Burbank was unable to conceal his annoyance--he never could bear praise
of another man of his own rank in public life. Also he showed surprise.
"Why, I understood--I had been led to believe--that you--favored his
nomination," was his gua