Atwater smiled and waved his hand. "Bother!" he retorted. "What's your programme?"
"Morris is the man to see," repeated Armstrong. "I wouldn't give up his secrets, if I knew them."
"Our man up at Buffalo wires," continued Atwater, "that you have got Kenworthy out of bed and completely cured. So, you are going on. And I know you are not the man to wait in the trenches. Now, it happens that Langdon and I have several matters on at this time—as much as we can conveniently look after. Besides, what's to be gained by tearing up the public again, just when it was settling down to confidence? I like a fight as well as any man; but I don't believe in fighting for mere fighting's sake, when there are so many chances for a scrimmage with something to be gained. It ain't good business. The first thing we know, the public is going to have some things impressed on it so deeply that even its rotten bad memory will hold the stamp."
"I agree with you," said Armstrong. "I love peace, myself. But I don't believe in laying down arms while the other fellow is armed to the teeth, and hiding in the bushes before my very door."
"That means me, eh?" inquired Atwater cheerfully.
"That means you," said Armstrong. "And it isn't of any use for you to call out from the bushes that you've gone away and are back at your plowing."
"But I haven't gone away," replied Atwater; "I'm still in the bushes. However, I'm willing to go.
"On what condition?"
"Give us the two first vice-presidents of the O.A.D. and the chairmanship of the Finance Committee."
That meant practical control. Armstrong knew that his worst anticipations were none too gloomy. "And if we don't?" said he.