“He would be a ba-ad son who didn't moind his own father,” returned Old Mike. “As to me jooty av politics—it's th' same as every other man's. It's the jooty av lookin' out for meself.”
This open-air selfishness as declared by Old Mike rather served to shock the reputable old gentleman.
“And in politics do you think first of yourself?” he asked.
“Not only first, but lasht,” replied Old Mike. “An' so do you; an' so does every man.”
“I cannot understand the narrowness of your view,” retorted the reputable old gentleman, somewhat austere and distant. “You are a respectable man; you call yourself a good citizen?”
“Why,” responded Old Mike, for the other's remark concluded with a rising inflection like a question, “I get along with th' p'lice; an' I get along with th' priests—what more should a man say!”
“Are you a taxpayer?”
“I have th' house,” responded Old Mike, with a smile.
The reputable old gentleman considered the other dubiously. Evidently he didn't regard Old Mike's one-story cottage as all that might be desired in the way of credentials. Still he pushed on.
“Have you given much attention to political economy?” This with an erudite cough. “Have you made politics a study?”