The Studs Lonigan Trilogy - James T. Farrell [20]
“Well, I gotta go,” said Studs.
“Me, too,” said Weary.
“Here’s some gum to take the fag off your breath,” said Studs, sticking some Spearmint in his mouth.
“S .. t, the old man knows I smoke anyway,” said Weary. They walked out to the front to meet their proud, waiting parents.
VIII
Small crowds gathered in front of the parish building, to converse, laugh and reflect the glory of the children and elders of St. Patrick’s parish. The Lonigans stood in one such small group. Lonigan spied Dennis P. Gorman. Mr. Dennis P. Gorman was a thin, effeminate man with a dandified mustache, and his nose was sharp. He was exceedingly well tailored in a freshly pressed gray suit; he wore a clean white shirt, a high stiff collar and a black tie. His meek, satellite wife was at his side; she was moron-faced, and looked younger than her thirty-six years. These well-known parishioners were standing under the arc light, bowing profusely and elegantly to the passers-by. Lonigan moved from the group he was in, without excusing himself; his wife followed. He hastened up to Gorman, held out his hand and said:
“Hello, Dinny!”
Dennis P. Gorman proffered a limp hand. Mrs. Dennis P. Gorman bowed and offered saccharine compliments for the Lonigan children.
“Well, Dinny, what did you think of it?” Lonigan asked.
While Dennis P. Gorman paused and cleared his throat for oratorical delivery, Mrs. Lonigan approached, and she and Dennis’s wife engaged in mothers’ talk.
Dennis’s effeminate voice was now prepared for action, and he said in tones of mingled melodrama and sing-song:
“Well, I believe, in fact, I am firmly convinced, that Mr. Wilson’s nomination today was an excellent choice… yes, an excellent choice. I am profoundly gratified that he has been renominated. I shall be proud to give him my own humble vote, and believe that it is the positive duty of every public-spirited citizen to do likewise. I shall endeavor, within my own limited power, to assist in his campaign for reelection. There is not one iota, no, not one slightest crepuscular adumbration of doubt but that Mr. Wilson is more qualified to wield and sway such power as resides in the chief executive position of the United States than his opponent, Mr. Hughes. He has brains, administrative capacity, diplomatic skill, integrity, ability, courage and a brilliant record. It was due to his efforts that we have, today, the Federal Reserve System, which shall, in our own lifetime, render panics impossible. It was his diplomacy that has kept America minding its own business and out of the dreadful militaristic war that now bleeds and devastates Europe, and leads some to believe that we have come to Armageddon. I say, with rich and full conviction, that there is not the slightest doubt, no question whatever, as to the relative merits of the two men. There is absolutely no comparison; it is all contrast, that makes Mr. Wilson’s star scintillate with added brilliancy. Were he a Republican, I believe that I would bolt my party to give him my vote. However, I know that a man of Woodrow Wilson’s stature, character and all-round ability and integrity could never remain a Republican, because, as every unbiased observer well knows, the G. O. P. is helplessly, hopelessly and irredeemably corrupt. Have I made my opinion clear, sir?”
The keen grayish eyes of Mr. Dennis P. Gorman roamed the spaces of the starry June evening.
“Oh, yeh! I’m for Wilson, too. A brilliant scholar! Wilson’s a scholar, the brainiest President we had since Lincoln. And he kept us out of war. I think I’ll make a contribution, of course it will be small, a drop in the bucket, but then I’ll make my little contribution to the campaign,” said Lonigan.
Dennis P. Gorman told Lonigan quickly, but with