“If you say so, it goes. Will I give the boys the office to rough-house the joint?”
“And have every out-of-State paper screeching about ring rule and rowdyism? Billy, you must have been born more ignorant than most. You never could have picked up all you don’t know, in the little time you’ve lived.”
Shevlin looked duly abashed and awaited further orders.
“I hear the gas main that serves Snyder’s Opera House isn’t in very good order,” resumed the Boss. “I shouldn’t wonder if all the lights went out just as the meeting opens to-night. That’ll mean a lot of confusion. And my friend, Chief Geoghegan, being a careful man, will disperse the crowd to prevent a riot, and to keep pickpockets from molesting those pure patriots. I want you to see Geoghegan and the gas company about it, right away. But look here, there mustn’t be any rough-house or disorder. Tell the boys to keep away. I’ll have work enough for them to do when Standish takes the road.”
Billy Shevlin, a great light of joy in his little beady eyes, departed on his mission, while Caleb, summoning Anice Lanier, set about his daily task of dictation. His always large mail was still more voluminous during the past week or so, and he had been forced to double his staff of stenographers. He and his secretary toiled steadily for three hours to-day, then laid aside the remaining work until later on.
“How’ll you like being secretary to the Governor, Miss Lanier?” asked Caleb, as he lighted his cigar and stretched out his thick legs under the table.
“Fully as much as you’ll like being Governor, I fancy,” she answered.
“I guess you won’t have to be very much wedded to the job at that,” sighed Conover. “Do you know, I’d give a year’s income if I’d never made that measly speech. But now that I’m in for it, I’m going to make the fight of my life. Everybody in the Mountain State will sure know there’s been a big scrap, and when it’s over, our young friend, Standish, is going to be just a sweet, sad memory.”
“I hear he is making some strong speeches.”
“And I hear you went to hear a couple of them,” retorted Caleb, grinning.