Mr. ¬ÝEasterly was not at home in Mrs. ¬ÝVanderpool‚Äôs presence. She spoke a language different from his, and she had shown a disconcerting way, in the few times when he had spoken with her, of letting the weight of the conversation rest on him.
He felt very distinctly that Mrs. ¬ÝVanderpool was not particularly desirous of his company, nor that of his family. Nevertheless, he needed Mrs. ¬ÝVanderpool‚Äôs influence just now, and he was willing to pay considerable for it.
Once under obligation to him her services would be very valuable. He was glad to find Mrs. ¬ÝCresswell there. It showed that the Cresswells were still intimate, and the Cresswells were bound to him and his interests by strong ties. He bowed as Mrs. ¬ÝCresswell left, and then did not beat around the bush because, in this case, he did not know how.
‚Äú Mrs. ¬ÝVanderpool, I need your aid.‚Äù
Mrs. ¬ÝVanderpool smiled politely, and murmured something.
‚ÄúWe are, you know, in the midst of a rather warm presidential campaign,‚Äù continued Mr. ¬ÝEasterly.
“Yes?” with polite interest.
‚ÄúWe are going to win easily, but our majority in Congress for certain matters will depend on the attitude of Southerners and you usually spend the winters in Washington. If, now, you could drop a word here and there‚ÅÝ‚Äî‚Äù
‚ÄúBut why should I?‚Äù asked Mrs. ¬ÝVanderpool.
‚Äú Mrs. ¬ÝVanderpool, to be frank, I know some excellent investments that your influence in this line would help. I take it you‚Äôre not so rich but that‚ÅÝ‚Äî‚Äù