"Well, I'm not . . ."

"If you don't want to support the bill, you can still sign it. You sign just to get it on the floor, that's all. Your signature doesnt mean you're for the bill. It just means that you want to see it get a fair trial. Give it a fair trial, I say. That's the American way."

"But my signature wouldn't do you any good."

"Yes, of course it would. Every one helps. I'm not alone in this, you know. I've got my whole block in Roslindale solidly behind me."

Just as I was going to inform her that I wasn't a lawmaker, a small, obese man brushed past us on his way down the steps. She left me and pounced on him as he reached the bottom. As I hurried away, I could hear her voice behind me.

"You in the House? . . ."