“He’s not a Republican, nor a Democrat,” declared Clearwater. “There are sane, sound men in both parties, and both are one when it comes to questions like law and order, respect for the courts——”
“Father,” interrupted the girl, “what did you say to George? Did you send him away?”
“He is an anarchist, a socialist—a—a demagogue. He insulted me. He——”
“What did he say?” she again interrupted.
“As I’ve told you, he has attacked me—my sort of men—with lies and filth. He has——”
“What did he say here—a while ago—in this room?”
Clearwater, thus cornered, dared not wander too far from the truth. “He said plainly that he meant all he had said—that he had spoken less than he thought. He refused to retract or modify. He was——”
“How like him!” cried Eleanor, with shining eyes. “Do you wonder that I love him, papa!”
Clearwater was taken completely aback. “You approving insults to me!” exclaimed he.
“You know you’d have despised him if he had weakened.”