"It is more blessed——" quoted Mr. Fenno drily.
"Can't we," put in Pease mildly, "give concessions on either side? I think we need each other."
"It is just this," said Mr. Fenno to the reformers: "Lend us your candidate to straighten out our tangle, and we'll lend him back to straighten yours."
"Is it possible," was the doubtful question, "that a president of the street-railroad can stand for mayor without raising suspicion of his motives?"
"Mather can," answered Pease promptly.
"Certainly with less suspicion than Ellis arouses," supplemented Mr. Fenno. "Come, will you lose a chance to defeat Ellis on his first line of battle? He will be beaten all the easier on his second."
"We are thinking of Mr. Mather's standing before the public," replied the reformers. "He must resign from your presidency as soon as we nominate him."
"Very well."
"That suits you?"
"Yes, if you will release him from his promise to you now."