- spected, received everywhere—while he, Holman,
had come to this. Sarah, back there at home, amid the dingy poverty and drudgery of her life; and Baldwin's wife, doubtless, welcome in all society and reigning there! Holman, sick of the scene, got up, plunged his hands into his pockets and started out. Near the door he turned to have another glance. Baldwin had slid to the end of the lounge and was talking to some young fellow—to McCray.
Holman went to the cigar-stand, lighted a cigar, sauntered out into the rotunda and leaned against the brass rail. He blew out streams of smoke and through squinting little eyes watched them float away; he smoked and squinted and thought, and what he saw was Baldwin, the lobbyist, and young McCray.
Two men passed on their way over to the senate chamber, and he heard one of them pronounce his name.
"leaning on the rail there, smoking.
"Oh—I forgot; his face was familiar, too. The old Has-been has come back for a day!"
It was Baldwin who spoke; his companion was young McCray.
