“‘Then he was your chief—your superior—when he gave the order to make the dismissal?’
“‘But I was not his clerk. You do not know how far it was discretionary with me to execute the order that day or not.’
“‘Ah, I see. The chief might issue an order, but the subaltern might only execute it if he deems it proper.’
“‘I am not a subaltern—I have as much authority—’
“‘Yes, in the absence of the Attorney General.’
“‘Always—when absent or present’
“‘Then the department has two heads. That is, I suppose, what confused things in my mind. The matter then is to rest as it now is until the Attorney General returns?’
“‘Yes, I shall not remand the case, as I might have done; it will wait.’
“I took my leave then, having seen that he understood I saw through the contemptible impertinence of his conduct. That is all the satisfaction I could have then, but next winter, as soon as the Supreme Court convenes, the matter will be settled.”
“And will the squatters have to go then?” Elvira asked.