Yes, what I said I'd do always I did.
That's the only way to get on in politics--and the crookeder
the politics the more careful a man has to be about acting on
the level. I can borrow a hundred thousand dollars without
signing a paper--and that's more than the crooks in Wall
Street can do--the biggest and best of them. So, when I told
you how things were with me about you, I was on the level."
"I know it," said Susan. "Where shall we go? I can't ask you
to come home with me."
"We might go to tea somewhere----"
Susan laughed outright. Tea! Freddie Palmer proposing tea!
What a changed hooligan--how ridiculously changed! The other
Freddie Palmer--the real one--the fascinating repelling
mixture of all the barbaric virtues and vices must still be
there. But how carefully hidden--and what strong provocation
would be needed to bring that savage to the surface again.
The Italian in him, that was carrying him so far so cleverly,
enabled him instantly to understand her amusement. He echoed
her laugh. Said he:
"You've no idea the kind of people I'm traveling with--not
political swells, but the real thing. What do you say to
the Brevoort?"
She hesitated.
"You needn't be worried about being seen with me, no matter
how high you're flying," he hastened to say. "I always did
keep myself in good condition for the rise. Nothing's known
about me or ever will be.
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