Root—Mr. President, California is about to secede—we shall lose Metcalf! The entire Pacific Coast will follow. I go to glory or the grave!
[Exit Secretary Root. Enter Secretary Taft, with bottle.]
Taft—In this supreme crisis of the nation let us fortify our souls (filling glasses) for any trial.
Pres. (lifting glass)—Here’s confusion to the memory of the late Commodore Matthew Perry!
[They drink. Tumult within: “Banzai! Banzai!” Enter Loeb.]
Loeb—Mr. President——
Pres.—Where’s Root?
Loeb—In the East Room, playing draw poker with the Japanese Minister. [Renewed tumult within: “Banzai Nippon!”] The Jap seems to be winning.