“Not always.”
“But if you have strong opinions and disagree with Mr. Harrington,” persisted Miss Thorn, “then you have a strong opinion against your two parties acting together for the common good.”
“Not exactly that,” said Vancouver, embarrassed between the directness of Joe’s question and a very strong impression that he had better not say anything against John Harrington.
“Then what do you believe? Will you please give this cup to Miss Schenectady?”
Vancouver rose quickly to escape.
“Cream and sugar, Miss Schenectady?” he said. “Ah, Miss Thorn has already put them in. It is such celebrated tea of yours! Do you know, I always look forward to a cup of it as one of the greatest pleasures in life!”
“When you have quite done praising the tea, will you please tell me what you believe about Mr. Harrington’s speech?” said the inexorable Joe, drowning her aunt’s reply to Vancouver’s polite remark.
Thus cornered, Vancouver faced the difficulty.
“I believe it was a very good speech,” he said mildly.
“Do you believe what he said was true?”