This part of the scene was so utterly, so strikingly un-Russian that I watched it open-mouthed
"A great friend of the Jewish people, isn't he?" the worshiper who stood next to me remarked, archly
"He is simply in love with us," I chimed in, with a laugh, by way of showing off my understanding of things American. "It's Jewish votes he is after."
"Still, he's not a bad fellow," the man by my side remarked. "If you have a trial in his court he'll decide it in your favor."
"How is that?" I asked, perplexed. "And how about the other fellow? He can't decide in favor of both, can he?"
"There is no 'can't' in America," the man by my side returned, with a sage smile
I pondered the riddle until I saw light. "I know what you mean," I said. "He does favors only to those who vote for his party."
"You have hit it, upon my word! You're certainly no longer a green one."
"Voting alone may not be enough, though," another worshiper interposed. "If you ever happen to have a case in his court, take a lawyer who is close to the judge. Understand?"
All such talks notwithstanding, the campaign, or the spectacular novelty of it, thrilled me.