“I think I'd better go back to Stackpole,” he answered very slowly, “and resign my job. I don't see as I've got any business in the Legislature.”
“I don't understand you.”
He shook his head mournfully. “It's a simple enough matter. I've studied out a good many bills and talked 'em over and I've picked up some influence and—”
“I know you have.” she interrupted eagerly. “Mr. Truslow says that the members of your drains and dikes committee follow your vote on every bill.”
“Yes ma'am,” said Alonzo Rawson meekly, “but I expect they oughtn't to. I've had a lesson this afternoon.”
“You mean to say—”
“I mean that I didn't know what I was doing about that baseball bill. I was just pig-headedly goin' ahead against it, not knowing nothing about the conditions, and it took a lady to show me what they were. I would have done a wrong thing if you hadn't stopped me.”
“You mean,” she cried, her splendid eyes widening with excitement and delight; “you mean that you—-that you—”
“I mean that I will vote for the bill!” He struck his clenched fist upon his knee. “I come to the Legislature to do right!”
“You will, ah, you will do right in this!” Mrs. Protheroe thrust up her veil again and her face was flushed and radiant with triumph. “And you'll work, and you'll make a speech for the bill?”