He did not want to say no, for fear
of angering Peter, yet he did not like to surrender the advantage.
Finally he said: "Yes, I'll release him, but Mr. Kennedy isn't the kind
of a man that cries off from a promise. That's women's work."
"No," said Kennedy stiffening suddenly in backbone, as he saw the outlet
opened by Maguire, between antagonizing Peter, and retracting his
consent. "I don't play baby. Not me."
Peter stood thinking for a longer time than the others found
comfortable. Maguire whistled to prove that he was quite at ease, but he
would not have whistled if he had been.
"I think, Mr. Kennedy, that I'll save you from the difficulty by
nominating Mr. Porter myself," said Peter finally.
"Good!" said Maguire; and Kennedy, reaching down into his hip pocket,
produced a version of the holy text not yet included in any
bibliography. Evidently the atmosphere was easier. "About your speech,
Mr. Stirling?" continued the Senator.
"I shall say what I think right."
Something in Peter's voice made Maguire say: "It will be of the usual
kind, of course?"
"I don't know," said Peter, "I shall tell the facts.
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