The Honorable B.J. Ele also lingered, as if he would like to be the last out of the house; for although this distinguished statesman did not care to do otherwise than as General Belch commanded, he was anxious to be the General’s chief butler, while the remark about riding on his companions’ shoulders and the personal impression Abel had made upon him, had seriously alarmed him.
While he was busily looking at the portrait of General Jackson, General Belch stepped up to him and put out his hand.
“Good-night, my dear Ele! Thank you! thank you! These things will not be forgotten. Good-night! good-night!” And he backed the Honorable B. Jawley Ele out of the room into the hall.
“This is your coat, I think,” said he, taking up a garment and helping Mr. Ele to get it on. “Ah, you luxurious dog! you’re a pretty friend of the people, with such a splendid coat as this. Good-night! good-night!” he added, helping his guest toward the door.
“Hallo, Condor!” he shouted up the street. “Here’s Ele—don’t leave him behind; wait for him!”
He put him put of the door. “There, my dear fellow, Condor’s waiting for you! Good-night! Ten thousand thanks! A pretty friend of the people, hey? Oh, you cunning dog! Good-night!”
General Belch closed the door and returned to the drawing-room. Abel Newt was sitting with one leg over the back of the chair, and a tumbler of brandy before him, smoking.
“God!” said Abel, laughing, as the General returned, “I wouldn’t treat a dog as you do that man.”
“My dear Mr. Representative,” returned Belch, “you, as a legislator and public man, ought to know that Order is Heaven’s first law.”