"You promised Shelby!"
"He called the other day—after you had gone. He talks well of politics. I was interested."
Bernard Graves swallowed something unpalatable.
"And the speech?" he said. "What do you think?"
"That it was remarkable—even brilliant, as they're saying."
"Great is buncombe."
"Don't," she begged. "Why spoil it for me? If nothing more, it proves him a born orator, who can do what he will with men. I believe in him."
Shelby approached them presently, with the melting of the throng, and
Graves had to listen to an antiphony of praise, sung by Ruth and Mrs.
Hilliard. In a lull he asked Shelby if he admired the oratorical
methods of General Garfield.
"Eh!" said Shelby, abruptly.
"Your manner suggests his at times."