Page:Despotism and democracy; a study in Washington society and politics (IA despotismdemocra00seawiala).pdf/113

 to get up and leave the room when Crane was talking with her. He had no reserves or restraints, and said just what was in his mind—a dangerous and alarming practice. She controlled herself, however, and looked closer at Crane. He was evidently deeply agitated, and Constance forebore the rebuke that she was ready to speak. Like a true woman, to feel sorry for a man was to forgive him everything. Suddenly Crane burst out:

"Have you heard the news? Senator Brand—our junior Senator—was run over by a train at Baltimore this morning, and died within an hour."

There is a way of announcing a death which shows that the speaker is contemplating the dead man's shoes with particular interest. Without fully taking in what it meant to Crane and what he wished to convey, Constance at once saw that in Senator Brand's death lay some possible great good for Crane. She remained silent a minute or two, her mind involuntarily reconstructing the horror and pity of the dead man's taking off.

Crane rose and walked up and down the room, his face working.

"I have committed a great, a stupendous folly,"