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“Why small?” asked Kenneth.

“Because he’s a Democrat, and the district is strongly Republican. But Thompson ran against him on the Republican ticket and couldn’t win his party vote.”

“Who’s Thompson?”

“The general store keeper. He has a reputation for short weights and measures.”

The boy sipped his coffee thoughtfully.

“Tell me, sir; how did you happen to know all this?” he asked.

“I’ve been looking up Hopkins’s record. I have disliked the man ever since he treated us so shabbily on the night of the meeting.”

“Never mind him. We’ve done with him.”

Mr. Watson shifted uneasily in his chair.

“I wonder if we have?” he said.

“Why not, sir?”

“Well, Kenneth, we have to reside at Elmhurst, which is Hopkins’s district. Also I believe Elmhurst to be the most important estate in the district, and you to be the largest taxpayer. This man wishes to go to the State Legislature and make laws for you to obey.”

“Well?”

“Well, it’s our duty to watch him. If he isn’t a fit man it’s our duty to prevent him from representing us.”