After his great dinners at Mount Vernon, as soon as the guests were done eating, he would tell his steward to call in the neighbours’ boys, who were never far away at such a time. In they would come, crowding around the table, and make quick work of the cakes, nuts, and raisins the guests had left.
At twilight, Washington had a habit of pacing up and down the large room on the first floor with his hands behind him.
One evening, a boy who had never seen him, climbed up to a high open window to look in at him.
The boy fell and hurt himself. Washington heard him cry, and sent a servant to see what was the matter.
The servant came back and said, “The boy was trying to get a look at you, sir.”
“Bring him in,” said Washington.
And when the boy came in, he patted him on the head, saying:—
“You wanted to see General Washington, did you? Well, I am General Washington.”
But the little fellow shook his head, and replied:—
“No, you are only just a man. I want to see the President.”