It was a tantalizing mystery, and it bothered him more than he liked to confess.

He put the letter in his wallet, and went into the sewing-room, where his aunt was knitting.

The dear old lady smiled at him.
"Aunty, I've got a secret to tell you." "What is it, Richard ?" "I'm going to run for mayor." The old lady dropped her work and held up her hands in horror.
"You are fooling, Richard!" "I am very serious, Aunty." "But politicians are such scamps, Richard." "Somebody's got to reform them." "But they'll reform you into one of their kind.

You don't mean it!" "Yes, I do.

I've promised, and I can't back down now." "No good will come of it," said the old lady prophetically, reaching down for her work.