Doolittle paused here. George nodded.
"When are ye comin' out with a plain statement of yer intentions, George?" inquired Mr. Norton in a conciliatory tone.
"The voters in this town will get a clear statement of my stand on all the issues of this campaign in plenty of time, gentlemen."
"That's all right fer the voter, but ye can't stall us wit' that kind of talk—" began Noonan.
"Wait a minute, Pat," counseled Doolittle. "George means all right. He's new to this game, but he means to stand fer the intrusts of his party, don't ye, George?"
"I should scarcely be the candidate of that party if I did not."
"I ain't interested in no oratory. Are ye or are ye not goin' to keep yer hands off the prosperity of Whitewater?" demanded Noonan angrily.
"Look here, Noonan, I am the candidate for this office—you're not. I intend to do as my conscience dictates. I will not be hampered at every turn, nor told what to say and what to think. I must get to these things in my own way."
"Don't ye fergit that ye're our candidate, that ye are to express the opinion of the people who will elect ye, and not any dam' theories of yer own——"
"I think I get your meaning, Noonan."