"Mrs. De Jarnette," he said, with genuine feeling, "you have suffered greatly. Let me assure you of my sincerest sympathy and, what will be more to you, I am sure, of my cordial support of this bill. The story of your wrongs under the old law has done for your cause with me what volumes of arguments about property rights could not have effected. To my mind a mother's right to her child is not a question that admits of discussion. You can rely upon me to do what I can for you. I shall esteem it a pleasure to introduce you to some of my colleagues and let them hear your story also."
She was expressing her earnest thanks for this offer when he added, "I only wish it were possible for the bill to do for you personally as much as you can do for the bill."
Somehow the words chilled the glow at Margaret's heart. What did he mean? Why, the bill would do everything for her if it passed. Before she could recover herself sufficiently to ask an explanation the Senator had gone on gallantly, with a wave of the hand toward Bess, "You certainly have an able pleader in this young lady, Mrs. De Jarnette. I am not sure that my support should not be credited at least half to her." And Bess went home on air.
As they were going out of the committee-room they came upon Richard De Jarnette, face to face. He was just going in. They passed each other with the briefest acknowledgment of acquaintance.
"What do you suppose he is doing there?" asked Margaret, much startled.
"Isn't that the district committee-room? He may be there on business with the Commissioners."
"He is there to fight this bill! I know it!"
"Well, there's one good thing," said Mrs. Pennybacker,—"he will interview Senator Black at an auspicious moment."
When they were seated in the carriage Margaret said thoughtfully. "What do you suppose Senator Black meant by wishing that the passage of the bill might help me? Of course it will help me. It will give me Philip if it passes."
"I wondered about that myself," Mrs. Pennybacker replied. Then after a pause she said casually, "There is no doubt that this law, if it ever becomes one, will apply to cases that occurred before it was enacted, is there?"