"He never had any thin' else in him," said the Senator earnestly. "It was born in him as fightin' an' general wildness was born in you an' me. Look into his face an' you'll see it. Fine? The boy hasn't his like in the city or the land. I'll back him for any sum—I'll stand to it that he'll be archbishop some day."
"Which I'll never be," said Arthur with a grin.
"Every man in his place, Artie. I've brought you yours, if you want to take it. How would politics in New York suit you?"
"I'm ripe for anything with fun in it."
"Then you won't find fault, Artie, if I ask how things stood with you—you see it's this way, Artie——"
"Now, hold on, old man," said Arthur. "If you are going to get embarrassed in trying to do something for me, then I withdraw. Speak right out what you have to say, and leave me to make any reply that suits me."
"Then, if you'll pardon me, did you leave things in Californy straight an' square, so that nothin' could be said about you in the papers as to your record?"
"Straight as a die, uncle."
"An' would you take the position of secretary to the chief an' so get acquainted with everything an' everybody?"
"On the spot, and thank you, if you can wait till I am able to move about decently."