There's no possibility of my having the
chance. He put me in the legislature to use me; and I'm glad that's all
over. As I tell you, I'm out of the game."
"I don't sympathize with that at all, Dan; you not only ought to stay
in, but you ought to do all you can to make it impossible for men like
Bassett and Thatcher to have any power. The honor of the state ought to
be dear to all of us; and if I belonged to a party I think I should have
a care for its honor too."
The time was passing. It was not to discuss politics that he had gone to
Waupegan.
"Come," he said. "Let's find a canoe and get out under the stars."
Sylvia went for a wrap, and they had soon embarked, skimming along in
silence for a time till they were free of the shores. There was no moon,
but the stars shone brilliantly; a fitful west wind scarcely ruffled the
water. Along the deep-shadowed shores the dock lanterns twinkled, and
above and beyond them the lamps of the cottages flashed and vanished.
Dan paddled steadily with a skilled, splashless stroke. The paddle sank
noiselessly and rose to the accompaniment of a tinkling drip as the
canoe parted the waters. There is nothing like a canoe flight under
stars to tranquilize a troubled and perplexed spirit, and Dan was soon
won to the mood he sought. It seemed to him that Sylvia, enfolded in the
silvery-dim dusk in the bow, was a part of the peace of sky and water.
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