"This boy comes from my native town. He is the son of one of my oldest friends. I have made him a page in the House, and if you ever get an opportunity to help him, I wish you would do so."
Congressman Hudson took Barry's hand with that quick, convulsive movement which seemed to be one of his characteristics, and said:
"Glad to meet you. If you ever need anything call on me."
After this Barry was presented to the sallow-faced man, who proved to be Mr. Joel Phipps, who was the clerk to the Committee on Naval Affairs.
As the general conversation was resumed, Barry withdrew and took his seat in the corner of the room. Just as they were about to leave, Congressman Carlton said suddenly:
"By the way, Hudson, I am going to introduce a bill in the House in a few days to appropriate a million dollars for a Naval Repair Station at Cleverly. I know that you are a member of the Committee on Naval Affairs, and I wish you would help me to put this measure through. We need it and it's a just and proper appropriation."
Mr. Carlton stooped down to pick up a paper, when Congressman Hudson, turning to the clerk, said:
"Oh, we will help you with it, won't we, Joel?"
As he said this he deliberately winked at the sallow-faced man, and in return he nodded and replied: