"Mr. Chairman," he said, "I move that the Committee now take up for consideration the bill making an appropriation for a Naval Repair Station at Cleverly."
"The members have heard the motion," said the presiding officer, "all in favor will please say aye."
There was a chorus of ayes, and the Chairman declared the motion carried. "The clerk of the Committee," he said, "will now read the bill."
Joel Phipps turned to the pile of papers in front of him and began turning them over one by one. He reached the bottom of the heap without discovering the Cleverly bill. Then he turned them over and went through the pile again, very carefully and very painstakingly. A look of perplexity gathered on his face. The members were becoming impatient. The Chairman seemed to voice the opinion of his colleagues.
"The clerk will read the bill," he said, curtly.
"In a moment, sir," said Phipps, in an agitated voice.
He continued to fumble among the documents on his desk. He looked very much embarrassed. He moistened his lips with his tongue and then looked about the room helplessly.
"Well," demanded John Carlton, "why don't you read the bill?"
"I am sorry to say that I can't find it."
"How is that?"