According to Their Deeds by Paul Robertson Page A

will have a lot of it. Beating them by three thousand votes is amazing.”
    “Many people were amazed,” she said, and she was no longer on a platform speaking to thousands, but eye to eye with a single person.
    “And I am even more appreciative of your time when I realize what important work I’m keeping you from.” He shifted in his chair to stand, but the eyes did not release him.
    “I am never too busy for a friend.” She seemed to be waiting for him to say something else.
    “I’m honored to be considered one,” Charles said.
    “I would like to see your books. Did you say that Derek came to your store?” No smile, just intensity.
    “Yes, he did.”
    “Then I will, too.” She smiled and the conversation became friendly again. “I’m sure it’s fascinating.”
    “It is,” Charles said. “Yes, please come.”
    “And did you have any other business with Derek?” There was still an undercurrent of expectation and questioning.
    “No. That was all.”
    “Did he ever discuss his work with you?”
    “Not often. We usually discussed more philosophic subjects.”
    “Did that include John Borchard?” It was a very direct question.
    “Derek’s boss? No. I know just the little that Derek told me about him.”
    “I would be interested to know what Derek told you.” She smiled, and again the gloom dispersed. “And Derek told you about me? I hope that was always positive.”
    “Always.”
    “Well! I hope so, and I hope he meant it. And now it is time for me to keep moving along.”
    “Then thank you, Congresswoman. And I hope to see you at the shop sometime soon.”
    “You will! Nothing could keep me away!”
    “You really met with a congressperson?” Dorothy asked.
    “I did,” Charles said as he got himself into his chair. “Really.”
    “Is Liu oriental?”
    “Yes. She is both black and Chinese, and barely tall enough to be just one, let alone two. But she is energetic enough for three or four. We had a very nice talk.”
    “She must have had better things to do with her time.” She was skeptical, and disapproving, and amused. “What did you talk about?”
    “About Derek, and about herself. She was very open.”
    “To a perfect stranger?”
    “It is her job to talk about herself. And I am hardly perfect.”
    “Hardly. But even you should have known better than to bother her.”
    “She could have said no,” Charles said. “And I was nearly as surprised as you that she didn’t.”
    “Nearly?”
    “You underestimate Derek Bastien. His name is a little key to certain doors.”
    “There are other things that open doors. Did you ask her about those checks?”
    “I did not, of course. But I hinted. I asked how hard it was to get elected that first time.” He gazed out toward the horizon, his jaw set. “It was very hard. Very hard! But she prevailed!”
    “With five hundred thousand dollars’ worth of help.”
    “Please, dear,” Charles said. “I am speaking of the people triumphing, and justice and all that, and you bring up sordid money?”
    “I apologize,” she said, not. “I suppose she did not take your hint.”
    “Well, it got fuzzy there. Or maybe I should say, it got very sharp. I don’t know. I’ll have to think it through.”
    “And now that you’ve met her, would you say she is the ‘real thing’?”
    “You know, despite what John Locke says about her, I think she is. But I need to make a comparison to be sure. Dorothy, who would you say was higher ranking—a congresswoman, or a Deputy Assistant Attorney General?”
    “The congresswoman.”
    “The Deputy has more syllables, even with her extra one for being a lady. I’m going to try my little key again.”
    “You’re not going to call him, too!”
    “I am.”
    “Why are you doing this, Charles?”
    “I’m wandering.”
    “You’ll get lost.”
    “But I haven’t come to a stopping place, yet.”
    She sighed. “Then just tell me when I should tell you to give up.”
    “I will.” He found the