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The young man nodded somewhat dreamily.

“Some of these country yokels must represent us,” he observed. “It doesn’t matter much whether it’s Hopkins or someone else.”

“Except that you, being a prominent man, owe it to the community to protect its interests,” added the lawyer.

“Do you want me to mix in these petty politics?” asked the boy, irritably.

“Oh, do as you like, my boy. If you can shirk your duties with a clear conscience, I’ve nothing to say.”

For a time the young man was silent. Finally he asked:

“Why isn’t Hopkins a good Representative?”

“He’s what is called a ‘grafter’; a term signifying that he is willing to vote for any measure that he is paid to vote for, whether it benefits his constituents or not.”

“Oh. Is he singular in this?”

“By no means. The ‘grafter’ is all too common in politics.”

Again the boy fell into a thoughtful mood.

“Mr. Watson, am I a Democrat or a Republican?”

The old gentleman laughed outright.

“Don’t you know, Ken?”

“No, sir, I haven’t asked myself before.”