“Aw now, lady, don’t be t’rowin’ de con into me.”
The men in the little group on that side of the Senate chamber burst out in a laugh, but Burns becoming suddenly grave, and dangerous and terrible in his gravity, they broke off in the very midst of their mirth. The group became silent.
“Really, Senator Burns,” said Miss Greene, “this is no—ah—confidence game, I assure you.” She rose with a graceful sweep of her skirts. Then she went on: “If you will permit me, I should like to explain my mission to you. I am down here to ask the Senate to adopt a resolution that will submit an amendment to the Constitution permitting the women of Illinois to vote at all elections, as they vote at school elections now. If you can give it, I should like your support; I should, at least, like to tell you my reasons.”
Slowly she seated herself again, saying: “Will you sit down?”
But Burns only stood and looked at her. There was a trace of fear in her face.
“Do you want dis resolution put t’rough?” he asked bluntly.
“I? Indeed I do!” she said.
“Is dere anyt’ing in it fer you?” he went on.
“Why,” Miss Greene said, somewhat at a loss, “only that I am interested as a matter of principle in seeing it adopted. It would be a great day for me if I could go back to Chicago feeling that I had had just a little bit to do with such a result.”