"I can't help that," she replied stubbornly.
"And he appoints nothing but Democrats."
"Is there likely to be a Republican president soon?" she inquired, knitting her brows.
"That's difficult to say."
"I suppose Stuyvesant could, in a diplomatic sort of way, pretend to be a Democrat, couldn't he, dear?"
"He lost nearly ten thousand dollars at the last election betting on what he said was a sure thing," said he, compressing his lips.
"The poor dear!"
"I can't see very much in this diplomatic game, anyhow," said Mr. Smith-Parvis determinedly.
"I asked you a direct question, Philander," she said stiffly.
"I—I seem to have forgotten just what—"