Lester made no answer. His eyes were on the ground. She broke out impetuously:
"You think he's been badly treated?"
"I had rather not express an opinion. I have no right to one."
"Mayn't women care for politics just as strongly as men?" cried the girl, as though arguing the question with herself. "I think it's splendid my mother should care as she does! Corry ought to respect her for it."
Lester made a pretense of gathering up some papers on his desk, by way of covering his silence. Marcia observed him, with red cheeks.
"But of course you don't, you can't, feel with us, Mr. Lester. You're a Liberal."
"No!" he protested mildly, raising his eyes in surprise. "I really don't agree with Coryston at all. I don't intend to label myself just yet, but if I'm anything I think I'm a Conservative."
"But you think other things matter more than politics?"
"Ah yes," he said, smiling, "that I do. Especially—" He stopped.
"Especially—for women?" The breaking of Marcia's delightful smile answered his. "You see, I guessed what you meant to say. What things? I think I know."