“He probably said Senator Wilk and Mr. Laflin, but you know the field well enough to put them in the order of their importance. Laflin’s the new factor, a shrewd wolf raised in a wild forest.”
“Does it mean”—she leaned forward, tapping the table with her fan in eagerness—“that they are going to ask you to take the nomination?”
“They haven’t the entire giving of it, my dear.”
“Don’t be silly, Burton. You know that they are the architects of presidential nominations.”
“But even architects——”
“Oh, Burt, don’t quibble. You know that you’re the logical man for the place. You’re squarely based in party policies——”
“Safe, and steady.” His tone was whimsical.
“But picturesque enough to be a good campaigner.”
“Barefoot boy from the mountains. Good American stock with fine traditions. Reads rhetorically, doesn’t it?”
“And a border state gives you strategic advantage.”