Page:Jean Webster--Much ado about Peter.djvu/118

110 "Yes, sir, the show's a fake, sir, an' no mistake. But if I was you, sir, I would n't be too hard on 'em. 'Twould n't be a popular move. If ye 're thinkin' of runnin' for judge," Peter broke off and started anew. "If ye 'll excuse me tellin' it, sir, I heard 'em sayin' in Callahan's saloon the other day that they guessed ye was a better man than Judge Benedict all right, but that ye was too stuck up. They did n't care about votin' for a man who thought he was too good to mix with them. An' so, sir, you 're appearin' at the circus so familiar like was a politic move—meanin' no offence. I know ye did n't do it on purpose, sir, but it 'll bring ye votes."

He drew up before the station house in a wide curve, and cramped the wheels and waited.

Mr. Carter appeared lost in thought. Finally he roused himself to say:

"Well, after all, perhaps there is n't any use. You may drive back and pick up the others. I 've changed my mind."