第101章

Much as we might deplore the political system that had grown up,we had to acknowledge,if we were consistent,that it was the base on which our prosperity was built.I was rather proud of having evolved this argument;it fortified my own peace of mind,which had been disturbed by Tom's attitude.I began to pity him.He had not been very successful in life,and with the little he earned,added to Susan's income,I knew that a certain ingenuity was required to make both ends meet.He sat listening with a troubled look.A passing phase of feeling clouded for a brief moment my confidence when there arose in my mind an unbidden memory of my youth,of my father.He,too,had mistrusted my ingenuity.Irecalled how I had out-manoeuvred him and gone to college;I remembered the March day so long ago,when Tom and I had stood on the corner debating how to deceive him,and it was I who had suggested the nice distinction between a boat and a raft.Well,my father's illogical attitude towards boyhood nature,towards human nature,had forced me into that lie,just as the senseless attitude of the public to-day forced business into a position of hypocrisy.

"Well,that's clever,"he said,slowly and perplexedly,when I had finished."It's damned clever,but somehow it looks to me all wrong.Ican't pick it to pieces."He got up rather heavily."I--I guess I ought to be going.Susan doesn't know where I am."I was exasperated.It was clear,though he did not say so,that he thought me dishonest.The pain in his eyes had deepened.

"If you feel that way--"I said.

"Oh,God,I don't know how I feel!"he cried."You're the oldest friend I have,Hugh,--I can't forget that.We'll say nothing more about it."He picked up his hat and a moment later I heard the front door close behind him.I stood for a while stock-still,and then went into the livingroom,where Maude was sewing.

"Why,where's Tom?"she inquired,looking up.

"Oh,he went home.He said Susan didn't know where he was.""How queer!Hugh,was there anything the matter?Is he in trouble?"she asked anxiously.

I stood toying with a book-mark,reflecting.She must inevitably come to suspect that something had happened,and it would be as well to fortify her.

"The trouble is,"I said after a moment,"that Perry and Tom would like to run modern business on the principle of a charitable institution.

Unfortunately,it is not practical.They're upset because I have been retained by a syndicate whose object is to develop some land out beyond Maplewood Avenue.They've bought the land,and we are asking the city to give us a right to build a line out Maplewood Avenue,which is the obvious way to go.Perry says it will spoil the avenue.That's nonsense,in the first place.The avenue is wide,and the tracks will be in a grass plot in the centre.For the sake of keeping tracks off that avenue he would deprive people of attractive homes at a small cost,of the good air they can get beyond the heights;he would stunt the city's development.""That does seem a little unreasonable,"Maude admitted."Is that all he objects to?""No,he thinks it an outrage because,in order to get the franchise,we have to deal with the city politicians.Well,it so happens,and always has happened,that politics have been controlled by leaders,whom Perry calls `bosses,'and they are not particularly attractive men.You wouldn't care to associate with them.My father once refused to be mayor of the city for this reason.But they are necessities.If the people didn't want them,they'd take enough interest in elections to throw them out.But since the people do want them,and they are there,every time a new street-car line or something of that sort needs to be built they have to be consulted,because,without their influence nothing could be done.

On the other hand,these politicians cannot afford to ignore men of local importance like Leonard Dickinson and Adolf Scherer and Miller Gorse who represent financial substance and'responsibility.If a new street-railroad is to be built,these are the logical ones to build it.You have just the same situation in Elkington,on a smaller scale.

Your family,the Hutchinses,own the mills and the street-railroads,and any new enterprise that presents itself is done with their money,because they are reliable and sound.""It isn't pleasant to think that there are such people as the politicians,is it?"said Maude,slowly.

"Unquestionably not,"I agreed."It isn't pleasant to think of some other crude forces in the world.But they exist,and they have to be dealt with.Suppose the United States should refuse to trade with Russia because,from our republican point of view,we regarded her government as tyrannical and oppressive?or to cooperate with England in some undertaking for the world's benefit because we contended that she ruled India with an iron hand?In such a case,our President and Senate would be scoundrels for making and ratifying a treaty.Yet here are Perry and Tom,and no doubt Susan and Lucia,accusing me,a lifetime friend,of dishonesty because I happen to be counsel for a syndicate that wishes to build a street-railroad for the convenience of the people of the city.""Oh,no,not of dishonesty!"she exclaimed."I can't--I won't believe they would do that.""Pretty near it,"I said."If I listened to them,I should have to give up the law altogether.""Sometimes,"she answered in a low voice,"sometimes I wish you would.""I might have expected that you would take their point of view."As I was turning away she got up quickly and put her hand on my shoulder.

"Hugh,please don't say such things--you've no right to say them.""And you?"I asked.