“Does it mean as much as that to you?” asked Douglas Briggs, astonished. He had never been able to adjust himself to the knowledge that the little Congressman, so out of place in Washington, was a man of wealth and, in his own city, of great importance.
“Well, I should think it did, and more, too,” Burrell replied. “If a certain friend of mine was to take the case,” he went on, smiling at Helen and nodding at her husband, “it would be worth a retainin’ fee of five thousand dollars.”
Briggs shook his head. “That’s a great temptation. I need the money bad enough.”
“Well, then, take the case,” Burrell exclaimed.
“Oh, for goodness’ sake, do take it, Mr. Briggs!” Mrs. Burrell interposed. “Father says if it was only in your hands he wouldn’t worry. Then we’d have some peace in the family.”
Briggs looked amused. Secretly he enjoyed the flattery of the old lady’s words. “I’ll tell you what I’ll do. I’ll take it——”
“Oh, good!” the girls cried, together.
“—if I’m beaten at the next election.”
The girls looked at each other with disappointment in their eyes. “Oh!” they said.
Briggs put his hand on Burrell’s shoulder. “Can you wait?”