She acknowledged his gratitude with an inclination of her head. Motions came easier than words.
“And since I owe it all to you, since I owe nothing to any political party, I want to tell you that I am going to try to make the very best mayor that I can!”
“I am sure of that,” she said.
“I realize that it’s not going to be easy,” he went on. “The people seem to be with me now, thanks to you—but as soon as I try to carry out my ideas, I know that both parties will rise up and unite against me. The big fight is still ahead. But since—since you have done it all—I want you to know that I am going to fight straight ahead for the people, no matter what happens to me.”
“I know,” she said.
“My eyes have been opened to many things about politics,” he added.
She did not speak.
Silence fell between them; the room was infiltered by a multitudinous hum from without. Presently the thought, and with it the fear, that had been rising up stronger and stronger in Bruce for the last half hour, forced itself through his lips.
“I suppose that now—you’ll be going back to New York?”
“No. I have had several cases offered me to-day. I am going to stay in Westville.”