"Which, he gave me to understand, was just what he intended to do, anyhow."
"O, gave you to understand, of course! But it wasn't, John. Jeff-Jack's still got too many uses for Garnet, to cross him without a good excuse. But he knows what Gamble's influence is, and a different request from you would have put his proxy in safer hands. He would have saved you, John, if you hadn't yourself rushed in and spoken for Garnet."
"And why should you assume that Garnet's holding the proxy has made——"
"Oh, bah! Why, John, d'ye reckon I don't see that he and Bulger have gone over to Gamble, and are out-voting you—hauling you in hand over fist? It's written in large letters and hung up where all Susie can read it—except yourself!"
"Where?"
"In your face. And now you're staying here to stare at a lost game. O, John, for your own sake, get away! Clear out to-night! You can at least hide your helplessness. If you will, I'll call you back as soon as you can gain anything by coming. Yes, and I'll turn in and fight these fellows for you in the meantime!"
"Thank you, General, but you're mistaken; the game isn't lost. The moment Jeff-Jack and I——"
"Ah! John, the moment's gone! Ask yourself! Will Jeff-Jack ever join the forlorn hope of a man who won't dance to his fiddle? His self-sacrifices are not that sort."
"And yet that's the very sacrifice you think I ought to let you make for me!"
"By Joe! sir, it wouldn't be a sacrifice! If it will just get you out of town it will suit me perfectly!"