"That foolishness in the Legislature, as you call it, represented a sentiment all over the State," said Hilary. "And if I'd been you, I wouldn't have let Hunt in this year. But you didn't ask my opinion. You asked me when you begged me to get Adam out, and I predicted that he wouldn't get out."
Mr. Flint took a turn up and down the room.
"I'm sorry I didn't send for him to go to New York," he said. "Well, anyway, the campaign's been muddled, that's certain,—whoever muddled it." And the president looked at his counsel as though he, at least, had no doubts on this point. But Hilary appeared unaware of the implication, and made no reply.
"I can't find out what Bascom and Botcher are doing," Mr. Flint went on;
"I don't get any reports—they haven't been here. Perhaps you know.
They've had trip passes enough to move the whole population of Putnam
County. Fairplay says they're gettin' delegates for Adam Hunt instead of
Giles Henderson. And Whitredge says that Jake Botcher is talking reform."
"I guess Botcher and Bascom know their business," said Mr. Vane. If Mr.
Flint had been a less concentrated man, he might have observed that the
Honourable Hilary had not cut a piece of Honey Dew this afternoon.
"What is their business?" asked Mr. Flint—a little irrelevantly for him.
"What you and I taught 'em," said Mr. Vane.
Mr. Flint considered this a moment, and decided to let it pass. He looked at the Honourable Hilary more closely, however.
"What's the matter with you, Vane? You're not sick, are you?"
"No."