Page:Despotism and democracy; a study in Washington society and politics (IA despotismdemocra00seawiala).pdf/96

 Thorndyke did not feel in the least like laughing at Senator Standiford's inquiry, and answered, promptly:

"Oh, everything. I remember chaffing her about her good appetite."

"Thank God! The doctors say if she can only eat and live out in the fresh air and play golf and ride horseback she will be all right. But, Thorndyke, I swear to you, I am as soft as milk about that girl. If she goes out to golf I am unhappy for fear she will take cold. If she rides I am in terror for fear some accident will happen to her. Ah, Thorndyke, a man is no fit guardian for a girl like that—the sweetest—the most affectionate"

Here Senator Standiford again blew his nose violently.

"She has always been very sweet to me," answered Thorndyke, "although I believe she thinks me old enough to be her grandfather."

"She is a very remarkable girl, sir; that I say without the least partiality," replied Senator Standiford, earnestly. "She's a little wild, having no mother, poor child—but her heart, sir, is in the right place. And the way she loves her old father