“Splendid!” ejaculated Arkwright.  “Superb!”

Craig, with no scent for sarcasm so delicate, pushed on with enthusiasm:  “The safety-pin’s the mainstay of bachelor life,” said he rhetorically.  “It’s his badge of freedom.  Why, I can even repair socks with it!”

“Throw that shirt away,” said Arkwright, with a contemptuous switch of his cane.  “Put on another.  You’re not dressing for a shindy in a shack.”

“But it’s the only one of my half-dozen that has a bang-up bosom.”

“Bang-up?  That sheet of mottled mica?”

Craig surveyed the shiny surface ruefully.  “What’s the matter with this?” he demanded.

“Oh, nothing,” replied Arkwright, in disgust.  “Only, it looks more like something to roof a house with than like linen for a civilized man.”

Craig reared.  “But, damn it, Grant, I’m not civilized.  I’m a wild man, and I’m going to stay wild.  I belong to the common people, and it’s my game—­and my preference, too—­to stick to them.  I’m willing to make concessions; I’m not a fool.  I know there was a certain amount of truth in those letters you took the trouble to write me from Europe.  I know that to play the game here in Washington I’ve got to do something in society.  But”—­here Josh’s eyes flashed, and he bent on his friend a look that was impressive—­“I’m still going to be myself.  I’ll make ’em accept me as I am.  Dealing with men as individuals, I make them do what I want, make ’em like me as I am.”

“Every game has its own rules,” said Arkwright.  “You’ll get on better—­quicker—­go further—­here if you’ll learn a few elementary things.  I don’t see that wearing a whole shirt decently done up is going to compromise any principles.  Surely you can do that and still be as common as you like.  The people look up to the fellow that’s just a little better dressed than they.”

Josh eyed Arkwright in the way that always made him wonder whether he was in full possession of the secret of this strenuous young Westerner.  “But,” said he, “they love and trust the man who will have nothing which all may not have.  The shirt will do for this evening.”  And he turned back into the bedroom.

Arkwright reflected somewhat uncomfortably.  He felt that he himself was right; yet he could not deny that “Josh’s cheap demagoguery” sounded fine and true.  He soon forgot the argument in the study of his surroundings.  “You’re living like a wild beast here, Josh,” he presently called out.  “You must get a valet.”

A loud laugh was the reply.

“Or a wife,” continued Arkwright.  Then, in the voice of one announcing an inspiration, “Yes—­that’s it!  A wife!”

Craig reappeared.  He had on his waistcoat and coat now, and his hair was brushed.  Arkwright could not but admit that the personality took the edge off the clothes; even the “mottled mica”—­the rent was completely hid—­seemed to have lost the worst of its glaze and stiffness.  “You’ll do, Josh,” said he.  “I spoke too quickly.  If I hadn’t accidentally been thrust into the innermost secrets of your toilet I’d never have suspected.”  He looked the Westerner over with gentle, friendly patronage.  “Yes, you’ll do.  You look fairly well at a glance—­and a man’s clothes rarely get more than that.”