"He was a wonder, that fellow! Kinder out of place on a Mississippi paper. I started to offer him a job, but he was so proud I was afraid he wouldn't accept it. However, it gives you my idea of a reporter."
"If you've been against that, I ought to thank you for talking to me," laughed Haines.
"Then you don't want to know anything about that sort of stuff?" said
Langdon, with a huge sigh of relief.
"No, Senator," was the amused reply. "I think generally if I know what sort of a man a man is I can tell a great deal about what he will think on various questions."
Langdon started interestedly.
"You mean, Mr. Haines, if you know whether I'm honest or not you can fit me up with a set of views. Is that the idea? Seems to me you're the sort of man I'm looking for."
The other smilingly shook his head.
"I wouldn't dare fix up a United States Senator with a set of views," he said. "I only mean that I think what a man is is important. I've been doing Washington for a number of years. I've had an exceptional opportunity to see how politics work. I don't believe in party politics. I don't believe in parties, but I do believe in men."
Langdon nodded approvingly, then a twinkle shone in his eyes.
"We don't believe in parties in Mississippi," he drawled. "We've only one—the Democratic party,—and a few kickers."