"Only a cancellation for tomorrow night. Professor Wingard is ill."
"I'd just as soon it was cancelled down to the four of us," said Bullone.
Unless this is a pose, this doesn't sound like a man who wants to grab more power, thought Orne.
"Scottie, you should take more pride in your office!" snapped Polly. "You're an important man."
"If it weren't for you, I'd be a nobody and prefer it," said Bullone. He grinned at Orne. "I'm a political idiot compared to my wife. Never saw anyone who could call the turn like she does. Runs in her family. Her mother was the same way."
Orne stared at him, fork raised from plate and motionless. A sudden idea had exploded in his mind.
"You must know something of this life, Lewis," said Bullone. "Your father was member for Chargon once, wasn't he?"
"Yes," murmured Orne. "But that was before I was born. He died in office." He shook his head, thought: It couldn't be ... but—
"Do you feel all right, Lew?" asked Diana. "You're suddenly so pale."
"Just tired," said Orne. "Guess I'm not used to so much activity."