"But there's no use to get down in the mouth. I've won worse battles 'an this, an' so've you. An' we can win this. The delegation's uninstructed, an' I forced 'em to put some of our fellers on. It was the hottest convention I ever see. Wisht you'd been here."
"So do I," said Garwood bitterly, "so do I--instead I was staying on down in Washington looking after their interests while the dear people here at home were sharpening knives for me. How did you get any of my fellows on the delegation?" he suddenly broke off to demand.
"Well, I'll tell you. You see, I might 'ave had the nomination fer county treas'rer; they wanted me to take it, fer they feared to make too big a break in the party, but I made 'em let me name half o' the delegation instead."
"Yes, half--we split it up, though they got the odd man."
"Me? You bet I'm on, an' I'll be there, don't you forget that."
"Well, yes, I might 'ave wanted it, some--it 'uld be a good thing; come in mighty handy just now." And Rankin expressively rattled the keys in his empty pocket. "But I thought it 'uld look like treason to you, an' it would; though it wasn't no sacrifice, you havin' promised me the post-office. I knew I 'as sure o' that. When does Bartlett's term end?"
"Well, I can hold out till then, if the neighbors keeps on bringin' things in. You couldn't hurry it up, could you?"
"No, hardly," said Garwood. "But, tell me, what does Pusey expect to get out of this?"
"What does Pusey expect to get out of this? Why, not a thing--but the post-office, himself."
"Yes, fer enough votes from Polk to nominate him."
"Umph humph," said Garwood, slowly, through his nose. "Umph humph."
"But if it's December the appointment's made, we can fool him there, we can fool him there," said Rankin, gleefully.
"Yes," said Garwood, though not heartily.
And then Rankin leaned over and laid a hand on Garwood's knee.
"But don't give up yet, old man," he said. "We can pull this game out o' the fire; you can get that nomination."
"Yes, oh yes!" he sneered. "Pretty figure I'll cut going to a convention for renomination without my own county behind me!"
"Why, Pusey's fellers is easy--you can get enough o' them."
"How?" Garwood spoke in the hollow sternness of despair.