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           Sincewhatshewaswouldmakeitnecessaryforhimtotakesecondplacefromtimetotimetopatientswhoneededher(unlesssheretired,ofcourse,andhecouldnotbesureitwouldstopcompletelyeventhen,JillbeingJill),thenhewasbloody-be-damnednotgoingtostartbybeingjealousofthepatientshehadnow!Mikewasanicekid-justasinnocentandguilelessasJillhaddescribedhimtobe.

           Andbesides,hewasn’tofferingJillanybedofroses;thewifeofaworkingnewspapermanhadthingstoputupwith,too.Hemightbe–hewouldbe–goneforweeksattimesandhishourswerealwaysirregular.Hewouldn’tlikeitifJillbitchedaboutit.ButJillwouldn’t.NotJill.

           Havingreachedthissummingup,BenacceptedthewaterceremonyfromMikewhole-heartedly.

           Jubalneededtheextradaytoplantactics."Ben,whenyoudumpedthishotpotatoinmylapItoldGililanthatIwouldnotliftafingertogetthisboyhisso-called‘rights.’ButI’vechangedmymind.We’renotgoingtoletthegovernmenthavetheswag."

           "Certainlynotthisadministration!"

           "Noranyotheradministration,asthenextonewillprobablybeworse.Ben,youundervalueJoeDouglas."

           "He’sacheap,courthousepolitician,withmoralstomatch!"

           "Yes.Andbesidesthat,he’signoranttosixdecimalplaces.Butheisalsoafairlyableandusuallyconscientiousworldchiefexecutive–betterthanwecouldexpectandprobablybetterthanwedeserve.