et out--and yet, somehow, I was devilish
pleased about it.

"You see?" And he spread out his hands. "Absolutely no sense of
appreciation, you observe; and it had seemed such a splendid chance! You
see they had been so intimate--oh, are still, for that matter."

I caught my breath. "In--intimate!" I stammered. "You don't mean Frances
and this chauffeur?"

"_Oh_, yes," carelessly, "Scoggins is all right; very superior young man
for his position--fond of Francis, you know, and I really think has
great influence." He puffed complacently an instant. "Fact is, they are
always together when Francis is home"--puff--"motoring, boating, or else
off somewhere camping together."

"Wha-at--what's that--not _camping_?" I looked at him aghast. "Oh, come
now, Judge--really you don't mean _that_, do you--not camping together?"

I spoke excitedly, but he just stared at me with an expression of blank
surprise.

"Eh? Why, certainly, my dear boy--for weeks at a time--and why not?" His
shift manifested some impatience. "Pshaw, Lightnut," he growled,
flicking his ash, "what's the odds--why be so particular? _I_ don't
mind!" He jammed his hands into his trousers pockets till it seemed he
would go through them. "I tell you, I'm glad I'm democratic!"

"Oh!" I uttered, seeing a light.

So _that_ was it! Well, in any case, I knew now that I was a republican,
by Jove! Never did know before what I was and it was a devilish relief
to find out. Half made up my mind, then and there, I would vote next
election--never had, you know; few of our set ever did. Pugsley, for
one, held it to be doubtful form.

"Bright, self-made young man," I caught as I came back. By Jove, he was
still talking about that beastly chauffeur! "Such fine morals, you
know."

"Oh, dash it, _yes_!" And I think this must have been when I broke the
corner out of a filling.

"That was why I was so sorry he failed with Francis," he continued
regretfully, "but _you_ may succeed better--oh, I don't know but what it
will do just as well!"

"Thanks--er--awfully!" I murmured weakly.

"Oh, I think so--_oh_, yes!" He bobbed his head as though he were quite
resigned to it--then went on thoughtfully:

"And anyhow, if Francis finds _you_ are in deadly earnest, why it--" His
voice dropped off musingly: "Well, I believe _that_ would make it
easier--oh, lots easier for Scoggins."

I blinked a little with my free eye.

Wasn't sure, you know, but somehow it seemed to me a rum thin