Her early years in Washington with her father had impressed her imagination; the dream of returning there as the wife of a Senator danced brightly in her horizons.

It would mean much to Marian and Blackford if their father, like their Grandfather Singleton, should attain a seat in the Senate.

And she was aware that without such party service as Bassett was rendering, with its resulting antagonisms, the virulent newspaper attacks, the social estrangements that she had not escaped in Fraserville, a man could not hope for party preferment.
Bassett had recently visited Blackford at the military school where his son was established, and talk fell upon the boy.
"Black likes to have a good time, but he will come out all right.

The curriculum doesn't altogether fit him--that's his only trouble." Bassett glanced at Harwood for approval and Dan promptly supported the father's position.

Blackford had, as a matter of fact, been threatened with expulsion lately for insubordination.