Page:Despotism and democracy; a study in Washington society and politics (IA despotismdemocra00seawiala).pdf/272

 and even intimately, but Thorndyke got a curious impression of reserve from Crane—and reserve was the last thing in the world to develop in Julian Crane. As they walked along the streets in the dazzling sun of December in Washington, they were speaking of the great economic questions with which the Congress would have to deal. Thorndyke, as an accomplished lawyer, saw certain difficulties in the way of regulating these matters which Crane did not at first perceive.

"After all," said Thorndyke, "it comes down to whether either political party will deal honestly with these questions. If they do, a solution will be found, and the whole matter can, in the course of a few years, be properly adjusted."

"What do you call perfect honesty in politics?" asked Crane, after a moment.

"That's rather a large proposition," replied Thorndyke, laughing. "I should say, if called upon to give an immediate definition, that perfect honesty in politics means keeping one's hands clean in money matters, and being an outspoken friend or enemy."

Crane's heart sank at this. He did not know why