Victor was smiling gayly. "The fortunes of war," said he. "I expect nothing else. If they fought fair they couldn't fight at all. We, on this side of the struggle, can afford to be generous and tolerant. They are fighting the losing battle; they're trying to hold on to the past, and of course it's slipping from them inch by inch. But we—we are in step with the march of events."
When she was with him Jane felt that his cause was hers, also—was the only cause. "When do you begin publishing your paper again?" she asked. "As soon as you are sitting up?"
"Not for a month or so," replied he. "Not until after the election."
"Oh, I forgot about that injunction. You think that as soon as Davy Hull's crowd is in they will let you begin again?"
He hesitated. "Not exactly that," he said. "But after the election there will be a change."
Her eyes flashed. "And they have indicted you! I heard the newsboys crying it and stopped and bought a paper. But I shall do something about that. I am going straight from here to father. Ellen Clearwater and I and Joe Wetherbe SAW. And Ellen and I will testify if it's necessary—and will make Joe tell the truth. Do you know, he actually had the impudence to try to persuade Ellen and me the next day that we saw what the papers reported?"
"I believe it," said Victor. "So I believe that Joe convinced himself."
"You are too charitable," replied Jane. "He's afraid of his father."
"Miss Hastings," said Victor, "you suggested a moment ago that you would influence your father to interfere in this matter of the indictment."
"I'll promise you now that he will have it stopped," said Jane.