"It was like that first meeting of the Grange, when I heard you speak first, only this is more earnest—more desperate, I should say."
"Yes, these people are desperate. It is impossible for the world to realize the earnestness of these farmers. Just see the interest the women-folks take in it! No other movement in history—not even the anti-slavery cause—appealed to the women like this movement here in Kansas. Why, sometimes I go home and walk the floor like a crazy woman—I get so wrought up over it. While our great politicians split hairs on the tariff, people starve. The time has come for rebellion."
Bradley was silent. He sympathized with her feeling, but he could not see very much hope in a revolt.
Her eyes glowed with the fire of prophecy. Bradley gazed at her with apprehensive eyes. She seemed unwholesomely excited. But she broke into a hearty laugh, and said: "You stare. Well, I won't lecture you any more. What did you do in Washington?"
"Nothing," he replied; and there was something silencing in his voice.
She glanced at his face sharply. She hesitated an instant, then asked:
"Do you go back?"
"No, my political career is ended. I was knifed in the convention."
"You are young."
"I'm not young enough to outgrow such a defeat as that. I'm done."