every one knew him now; he was called here and there on the
floor, by men anxious to impress themselves upon Bassett's authorized
spokesman. It is a fine thing at twenty-seven to find the doors of
opportunity flung wide--and had he not crossed the threshold and passed
within the portal? He was Bassett's man; every one knew that now; but
why should he not be Bassett's man? He would go higher and farther than
Bassett: Bassett had merely supplied the ladder on which he would climb.
He was happier than he had ever been before in his life; he had
experienced the intoxication of applause, and he was not averse to the
glances of the women in the gallery above him.

The nomination of candidates now went forward rather tamely, though
relieved by occasional sharp contests. The ten gentlemen who had been
favored with copies of the Bassett programme were not surprised that so
many of Thatcher's friends were nominated; they themselves voted for
most of them. It seemed remarkable to the uninitiated that Bassett
should have slapped Thatcher and then have allowed him to score in the
choice of the ticket. The "Advertiser," anxious to show Bassett as
strong and malignant as possible, expressed the opinion that the
Fraserville boss had not after all appreciated the full force of the
Thatcher movement.

* * * * *

On the veranda of his Waupegan cottage Bassett and Fitch enjoyed the
wholesome airs of the country. Late in the afternoon the fussy little
steamer that traversed the lake paused at the Bassett dock to deliver a
telegram, which Bassett read without emotion. He passed the yellow slip
of paper to Fitch, who read it and handed it back.

"Harwood's a clever fellow; but you oughtn't to push him into politics.
He's better than that."

"I suppose he is," said Bassett; "but I need him."

CHAPTER XX

INTERVIEWS IN TWO KEYS

Mrs. Bassett remained in bed the day following the convention, less
exhausted by the scenes she had witnessed than appalled by their
interpretation in the newspapers. The reappearance of Sylvia Garrison
had revived the apprehensions which the girl's visit to Waupegan four
years earlier had awakened. She had hoped that Sylvia's long absences
might have operated to diminish Mrs. Owen's interest and she had managed
in one way and another to keep them apart during the college holidays,
but the death of Professor Kelton had evidently thrown Sylvia back upon
Mrs. Owen. Jealous