An instant of hesitating doubt swept him as he thought of the possibility of a public refusal to meet or confer. He couldn’t believe she would be so ungracious. He must risk it. The situation was too critical to stand on ceremony.
He raised his hat and bowed with awkward excitement.
“May I have a few minutes of your time, Miss Holland?” he asked.
She blushed, hesitated and answered nervously.
“Certainly, Mr. Congressman. Your speech was eloquent but unconvincing. I congratulate you on your style if I can’t agree with your conclusions.”
Barker laughed heartily and Waldron’s face remained a stolid mask.
“You will excuse me, gentlemen,” she said to her associates. “I’ll see you in ten minutes—”
She paused and smiled politely to Vassar:
“The ladies’ parlor?”
“Yes,” he answered, leading the way to the elevator, and in two minutes faced her with his hands tightly gripped behind his back, his eyes lighted by the fires of tense emotion.