"Worse. Won't live many weeks. Going South tomorrow," answered the secretary.
"Or Bateman?—or Mason?"
"Mason wouldn't touch politics with a pair of tongs,—so he says," the secretary answered. "As for Judge Bateman,—I tell you, Allingham, if such men as he would do their duty, there'd be some hope of cleaning out the Augean stables. But it's hopeless. There isn't a decent Republican citizen in this town who'll take hold with us,—I mean as candidate for mayor."
"The more shame to Roma, then," said Allingham. "Things have come to a pretty state of graft when—"
He stopped suddenly, for the door was opening and Mrs. Bateman walked in. With her were two other women, one white-haired and graciously dignified, the other young and tall and handsome.
"Good-morning, Mr. Allingham," said Mrs. Bateman, taking the hand which the young man, coming forward, stretched forth. "May I present you to Mrs. Stillman and Miss Van Deusen? And may we have a few minutes' talk with you?"
"Certainly," he replied, wondering what these society women could want with the Municipal League, "certainly. Be seated."
The secretary slipped quietly from the room while the visitors drew up in a half-circle around the chairman's desk.
"We are sure to give you a surprise," began Mrs. Bateman, "so we may as well tell you at once. We are going to enter city politics."
"That's good," answered Allingham. "I trust you're going to offer us an available candidate for mayor? That's the greatest need in Roma today."