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“It’s an honorable office. It’s an important office, properly filled. You might not only beautify your district by having those objectionable signs prohibited, but do many other things to better the condition of the farmers. And that isn’t all.”

“What’s the rest, Mr. Watson?”

“You owe something to yourself, lad. All your young life you’ve been too self-contained and exclusive in your habits. ‘The noblest study of mankind is man.’ It would broaden you to go into politics for a time, and do much to develop your character and relieve the monotony of your existence.”

Kenneth frowned.

“It won’t be easy, you know. It’ll be a fight, and a hard one, for Hopkins won’t give up his job if he can help it.”

The boy brightened again.

“I like a good fight,” he said, wistfully. “If I thought—if I believed I could fill the position with credit—I might undertake it.”

“I’ll answer for that,” retorted the old man, highly pleased with his easy victory. “You win the fight, Ken, and I’ll guarantee you’ll outclass the majority of your fellow Representatives. It’s a good state, too.”