Conny, after her talk with the Senator, knew rather more about the
Commission than her husband; but she merely asked, "What do you mean?"
"I mean that I want to find just who is interested in this up-state water-power grant before I go any farther. That is why I came down,—to see one or two men, especially Princhard."
While Cornelia was thinking of certain remarks that the Senator had made,
Percy added, "I am not the Senator's hired man."
"Of course not!"
Her husband's next remark was startling,—"I have almost made up my mind to get out, Con,—to take Jackson's offer of a partnership and stick to the law."
Here, Conny recognized, was a crisis, and like most crises it came unexpectedly. Conny rose to meet it. Husband and wife discussed the situation, personal and political, of Percy's fortunes for a long time, and it was not settled when it was time for bed.
"Con," her husband said, still sitting before the fire as she turned out the lights and selected a book for night reading, "aren't you going pretty far with Tom?"
Conny paused and looked at him questioningly.
"Yes," she admitted in an even voice. "I have gone pretty far…. I wanted to tell you about it. But this political business has worried you so much lately that I didn't like to add anything."
As Percy made no reply, she said tentatively:—