As for Patsy, she was often told in the towns that "a young girl ought to be in better business than mixing up in politics," and she was sensitive enough once or twice to cry over these reproaches when alone in her chamber.

But she maintained a cheerful front; and, in truth, all the girls enjoyed their work immensely.
While Beth and Kenneth were in the garden this sunny afternoon James came to say that a man wanted to see "one of the politics young ladies." "Shall we send him about his business, Beth ?" asked the boy.
"Oh, no; we can't afford to lose a single vote.

Bring him here, James, please," said the girl.
So presently a wizened little man in worn and threadbare garments, his hat in his hand, came slowly into the garden.

His sunken cheeks were covered with stubby gray whiskers, his shoulders were stooped and bent from hard work, and his hands bore evidences of a life of toil.

Yet the eyes he turned upon Beth, as she faced him had a wistful and pleading look that affected her strangely.
"Afternoon, miss," he said, in a hesitating voice.