Page:Despotism and democracy; a study in Washington society and politics (IA despotismdemocra00seawiala).pdf/215

 Chapter Ten

THERE ARE MEN WHO CAN RESIST EVERYTHING EXCEPT TEMPTATION

Congress adjourned on the 15th of June, just two months after it was convened in extra session. Thorndyke's apprehensions had been confirmed. Few legislative follies had been committed—the House had gone with the people, leaving to the Senate and the Administration the disagreeable task of stemming the popular tide as far as possible, when it rushed on too fast. No reputations had been damaged in either House, and several had been made—but none to equal Julian Crane's. As for Thorndyke, the newspapers seemed to have forgotten his existence.

By the time adjournment was reached, Washington was deserted. The class which is designated as "everybody" was either going or gone. The outgoing steamers carried half the town across the ocean. Thorndyke had promised himself a treat—*