"Be frank with me, Poundstone. I am not a child. What I would like to
know is this: will you exert every effort to block that franchise in
the firm conviction that by so doing you will accomplish a laudable
public service?"
Poundstone squirmed. "I should not care, at this time, to go on
record," he replied evasively. "When I have had time to look into the
matter more thoroughly--"
"Tut-tut, my dear man! Let us not straddle the fence. Business is a
game, and so is politics. Neither knows any sentiment. Suppose you
should favour this N.C.O. crowd in a mistaken idea that you were
doing the right thing, and that subsequently numberless fellow-
citizens developed the idea that you had not done your public duty?
Would some of them not be likely to invoke a recall election and
retire you and your city council--in disgrace?"
"I doubt if they could defeat me, Colonel."
"I have no such doubt," Pennington replied pointedly.
Poundstone looked up at him from under lowered lids. "Is that a
threat?" he demanded tremulously.
"My dear fellow! Threaten my guest!" Pennington laughed
patronizingly. "I am giving you advice, Poundstone--and rather good
advice, it strikes me. However, while we're on the subject, I have no
hesitancy in telling you that in the event of a disastrous decision
on your part, I should not feel justified in supporting you.
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