It should help it immensely--help the stock; for these charges have hung over Northern Consolidated values like a shadow." "And when should the committee report ?" queried Richard.
"Those things come along very leisurely; the report ought to be public, I should think, about the middle of February.

We may give it to the road for a valentine," and Senator Hanway smiled in congratulation of himself for something light and fluffy, something to mark in him a pliancy of sentiment.
Senator Hanway--such is the weakness of the really great--had his vanity as well as Richard, and would have been pleased had folk thought him of a fancy that, on occasion, could break away from those more sodden commodities of politics and law-building.

Caesar and Napoleon were both unhappy until they had written books, and Alexander cared more for Aristotle's good opinion than for conquest.
Just when Richard, who had been expecting with every moment his Dorothy to come rustling in, was beginning to despair, Dorothy's black maid appeared, and, under pretense of asking Senator Hanway on behalf of his devoted niece whether or no said niece might count on his escort to the White House reception New Year's Day, craftily slipped Richard a note.
"Why, she knows she may!" Senator Hanway was somewhat astonished at Dorothy's forethoughtfulness; the more since the reception was a week and more away.
"Miss Dory wants to have Miss Bess, from 'cross d' street, go 'long," vouchsafed the maid.
"Oh, that's it!" said Senator Hanway, who mistook this for an explanation.
Richard was on nettles to get at Dorothy's note.

Anxiety sharpened his faculties, and he took from his pocket a clipping, being indeed a _Daily Tory_ editorial wherein was set forth what should be a proper tariff policy, and gravely besought Senator Hanway for his views thereon.

While that statesman was donning glasses and running over the excerpt, Richard made furtive shift to read his note from Dorothy.