mussed the hair of young and old , of anyone who came within her orbit . While Reason
was enshrined on a pedestal , Love was carried on their shoulders and caught up in
dances , winding through the aisles in a joyous daze . This was the way she ’ d wanted it ,
Pauline realized , even if she hadn ’ t anticipated it ; the setbacks , the trouble and grief of
the past year she ’ d spent as an agitator and apologist were leveled and washed away . A
line of cocky university boys , who in another life might have heckled her for even
showing her face at a Convention assembly , bowed before her with reverence .
“ May I have a taste , Pandemos ?” their leader shyly asked .
Pauline thought they were making fun of her , at first . She ’ d had no education .
“ If you tell me what Pandemos means .”
The look on the student ’ s face reassured her . She must have been glowing – she
must have been haloed like one of the figures in stained glass above them , for his breath
to catch the way it did . “ It means of the people . For the people . You more than any of
the rest of them .”
A chill ran down her spine as Pauline ’ s cheek brushed against the boy ’ s . “ We are
all for the people ,” she said , knowing the source of the power that crept hot up her neck
and tingled in her belly . He didn ’ t say anything as he pulled away , giddy , to a chorus of