“General Spencer, Congress is seeking to place the best leaders in the field. It has done so now. It has not dishonored you; it honors you; it wants your service under Putnam.”
“Under! You may well say under. Would you, with a record like mine, serve under any man?”
“I would. My only thought is for the good of the people and the success of the cause. I have given up making money, for the cause. I have given up seeking position of popularity, for the cause. I am seeking to be neither a general, nor a congressman, nor a diplomat, for the cause. Whatever a man be or have, his influence is all that he is. I would do anything that would tend to make my influence powerful for the cause. I have snuffed out ambition, for the cause.”
General Spencer dropped his hands on his knees.
“Governor Trumbull, what would you have me do?”
“Serve your country under Putnam—as Congress wills—and never hinder the cause by any personal consideration. Be the cause.”
“Governor, I will; for your sake, I will. I see my way clear. I was not myself when I came—I am myself now.”
“Not for my sake, General, but for the cause!”
Dennis had seen the Governor’s soul. Giant that he was, tears ran down his face. He went out into the open air.
It was evening at Lebanon. He looked up to the hills and saw the clerk, who had again become a shepherd-boy, there in the dusk guiding the sheep to sheltered pastures among the savins.