identical and fight the Eastern manufacturer who is nothing but a parasite living on the brains and work of better men".
And then, I wound up: "this common sense program won't please your Senators or your Congressmen who prefer cheap claptrap to thought, or your superfine Professors who believe the war of classes is "a mere arithmetical problem" (and I imitated the Professor's thin voice), but it may nevertheless be accepted by the American farmer tired of being milked by the Yankee manufacturer and it should stand as the first chapter in the new Granger gospel".
I bowed to the Mayor and turned away but the audience broke into cheers and Senator Ingalls came over and shook my hand saying he hoped to know me better and the cheering went on till I had gotten back to my place and resumed my seat. A few minutes later and I was touched on the back by Professor Smith. As I turned round he said smiling "you gave me a good lesson: I'll never make a public speaker and what I said doubtless sounded inconsequent and absurd; but if you'd have a talk with me, I think I could convince you that my theory will hold water".
"I've no doubt you could," I broke in, heartily ashamed of having made fun of a man I didn't know; "I didn't grasp your meaning but I'd be glad to have a talk with you."
"Are you free tonight?" he went on: I nodded: "Then come with me to my rooms. These ladies live out of town and we'll put them in their buggy and then be free. This is Mrs. . . . he added presenting me to the stouter lady and this, her sister, Miss Stevens." I bowed and out we went, I keeping myself resolutely in the background till the sisters had driven away: then we set off together to Professor Smith's rooms, for our talk.
