"Then he is quite a fool about political matters?"

"Far from it; he is highly ingenious. His editorials are often the
subtlest cups of flattery I ever sipped, many of them showing assiduous
study of old files to master the method and notions of his eagle-eyed
predecessor. But the tariff seems to have got him. He is a very masculine
person, except for this one feminine quality, for, if I may say it without
ungallantry, there is a legend that no woman has ever understood the
tariff. Young Fisbee must be an extremely travelled person, because the
custom-house people have made an impression upon him which no few
encounters with them could explain, and he conceives the tariff to be a
law which discommodes a lady who has been purchasing gloves in Paris. He
thinks smuggling the great evil of the present tariff system; it is such a
temptation, so insidious a break-down of moral fibre. His views must edify
Carlow."

She gave a quick, stifled cry. "Oh! there isn't a word of truth in what
you say! Not a word! I did not think you could be so cruel!"

He bent forward, peering at her in astonishment.

"Cruel!"

"You know it is a hateful distortion--an exaggeration!" she exclaimed
passionately. "No man living could have so little sense as you say he has.
The tariff is perfectly plain to any child. When you were in Plattville
you weren't like this--I didn't know you were unkind!"

"I--I don't understand, please----"