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And the critics who might aver as much, did they know the case, would be scandalized if he so mistreated the lady who has come to lean on him. "In doing good to others," says George Harpwood, "we do the greatest good to ourselves." Yet one must not devote himself to a rich lady beyond a period of reasonable length. One's own business must be rescued from neglect.
"Josephus," wrote curly-head; "Groceries," he added; "Ice," he concluded; A, B, C, D and so on, with a tail the wrong way on J. It is a memory that robs politics of its bitterness. Lockwin opens the door and kisses his wife affectionately. After all, he is a most fortunate man. If there were a decent way he would let Harpwood go to Congress and be rid of him.
There are photographs of George Harpwood; there are green seals; there are many attestations. The bride must raise her eyes now. She sees the star of the officer. She reads the number 803. Is that from David, too? Ah, yes, she must turn her head. The bridegroom is gone! A man enters, in hot haste and intense excitement. Is it the bridegroom returning? It is Dr. Tarpion. He seizes her by the hand.
Tarpion to the special censorship of Esther's mail, and to the fear of claimants, George Harpwood is in command of the situation. When a man cultured in all the arts that please, gives himself to the fascinating of a particular person, male or female, that man does not often fail. Where the prize is five millions he ought to play his highest trumps. This is what George Harpwood has done.
Corkey, I haven't a scrap about the house that isn't mourning paper! Yes, that will do. Send plenty. Good-bye. Come over and tell me about politics. Tell me something that will make life seem pleasant. I'm tired of my troubles. I think I'm forgetting David. Good-bye." The courtly and affable George Harpwood has fought the good fight and is finishing the course.
Will you be a mother to my little boy? He is lonesome while I am gone!" The matter is settled. It has come by surprise. If David Lockwin had foreseen it, he would have left the field open to Harpwood. If Esther Wandrell had foreseen it, she would have shunned David Lockwin. It is her dearest hope, and yet
"I should not think you would like that?" says the doctor. "Why should I care, after all?" asks Lockwin. "Well, if ever I have seen two men whose destinies are hostile, it seems to me that you and Harpwood fill the condition. If he gets into Wandrell's family you might as well give up politics." "Perhaps I might do that anyhow." "Well, you are an odd man. I'll not dispute that.
This causes Harpwood to be himself astonished. It is only genius that can adapt itself to an environment so lugubrious. It is only genius that can unhorse suspicion itself, leaving even the would-be detractor to admit that Mr. Harpwood is a kind man as he certainly is. "Who would not be kind for five millions?" he asks, yet he the next moment may deny that he wants the five millions.
"The wedding will be private," says Mrs. Grundy with sorrow. "But the Mrs. Harpwood that is to be will this winter entertain on a lavish scale. She is devoted to Harpwood's political aspirations." "That man Harpwood, if he gets to Congress this winter, will begin a great career. I wouldn't be surprised to see him President," says one bank cashier to another.
He has been diligent in all kinds of weather. He has discreetly avoided the outer appearance of personal service. But he has filled the place of spiritual comforter to Esther Lockwin, and has filled it well. If you ask what friends Mrs. Lockwin has, the servants will speak of Dr. Tarpion first, of the architects, and of Corkey. Harpwood they do not mention.
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