As William Wetherell was returning to the Pelican House, pondering over this incident, he almost ran into a distinguished-looking man walking briskly across Main Street.
"It was Mr. Worthington!" said Cynthia, looking after him.
But Mr. Worthington had a worried look on his face, and was probably too much engrossed in his own thoughts to notice his acquaintances. He had, in fact, just come from the Throne Room, where he had been to remind Jethro that the session was almost over, and to ask him what he meant to do about the Truro Bill. Jethro had given him no satisfaction.
"Duncan and Lovejoy have their people paid to sit there night and day,"
Mr. Worthington had said. "We've got a bare majority on a full House; but
you don't seem to dare to risk it. What are you going to do about it, Mr.
Bass?"
"W-want the bill to pass—don't you?"
"Certainly," Mr. Worthington had cried, on the edge of losing his temper.
"L-left it to me—didn't you?
"Yes, but I'm entitled to know what's being done. I'm paying for it."
"H-hain't paid for it yet—hev you?"
"No, I most assuredly haven't."