CHAPTER XVII. — THOMAS A. EDISON MAKES A SERIOUS MISTAKE IN ACCEPTING A DINNER INVITATION
As General Wood left the peace conference (in reply to our urgent summons) and walked slowly across the Mount Vernon lawn to join us in the summer house, he looked haggard and dejected.
“What is it?” he asked.
“Good news, General,” I whispered, but he shook his head wearily.
“No, it’s all over. They have worn us down. Our fleet is destroyed, our army is beaten. We are on the point of ceding New England and New York to Germany. There is nothing else to do.”
“Wait! We have information that may change everything. Let me introduce Lieutenant Ryerson and Mr. Widding—General Wood.” They bowed politely. “Mr. Widding has just seen Thomas A. Edison.”
That was a name to conjure with, and the General’s face brightened.
“I’m listening,” he said.
We settled back in our chairs and Lemuel A. Widding, with awkward movements, drew from his pockets some papers which he offered to the American commander.