Long—Perhaps it would have been better. The newspapers have learned about it. As I entered there were seven hundred and fifty correspondents outside the door!
Root—The Navy Department is ever liberal in its estimates.
Long—I’ll swear there are not fewer than a dozen; you saw them yourself.
Root—Not I. I entered by way of the chimney.
Hay—It is useless to try to conceal our movements; they learn everything.
Long—It is to be hoped they will not learn the purpose of this Conference.
Hay—That will depend on your discretion; mine is unquestionable.
Root—Is the door locked?
Hay—Sure, and the keyhole stuffed. We are absolutely inaccessible to the curiosity of the vulgar.
Long—Blast their tarry——