"No he won't he!"
"That's just the thing will cinch his election. I'm gonna play it up
strong in the campaign."
"What! Why, he tried to show us up!"
"And succeeded in doing it, according to your tell. That's all right;
Rafe, you were a little too raw, you know. I've cautioned you about
being more careful. You wouldn't take advice and you'll have to take
your medicine--this time. I'll explain matters to Bill, where you
stand and everything. You'll find it won't happen again."
With which Tuckleton was forced to be satisfied.
That night Tip O'Gorman had a long talk with Billy Wingo. Tip did not
tell him all he knew, by any means. Such was not his custom. To
understand Tip one had to do a deal of reading between the lines. But
when Tip went home, he carried with him the belief that Billy
understood perfectly the desires and aims of the county machine and
would be a willing worker.
Billy sat looking up at the ceiling for quite a long time after Tip was
gone. Finally he laughed silently.
"Tip, you're an old scoundrel," he said aloud, "but I can't help liking
you, just the same. I hope I don't have to step too hard on your toes."