“Sit still, Retty,” Mr. Darrell said, “nobody minds what Roper says, except, perhaps, in law matters.”
“Some people do mind what the whelp says, as he is quoted here,” Everett argued.
“It oughtn't to be so. I don't like women's names mixed up in men's business.”
“Roper only said that, because we heard that those girls were in Washington with a gay crowd, who took them from New York,” Gasbang explained.
“Yes, a crowd who went as guests of Mr. Lawrence Mechlin,” Everett replied; “a New York banker, and brother of this Mr. Mechlin here. Mr. Mechlin engaged a special car, as George wanted to take his wife and sister-in-law to visit the capital, and then two other families (of the highest and best in New York) were invited, and all made a party to spend three weeks in Washington. Clarence being a friend of George Mechlin's, was invited, also.”
“That may all be, but we heard that the crowd was a gay one, running about the corridors and taking lunches at the Capitol with Senators,” Gasbang explained. “And as that is the way things are managed when there are any axes to grind, Roper guessed that the girls had been pressed into service to help with their smiles to bamboozle Senators.”
“The vile little reptile; I'll put my heel on him yet,” said Everett, with white lips.
“It isn't likely that Clarence would have stayed by, seeing Mercedes smiling improperly on anybody, if he cares for her. He wouldn't be a son of mine if he did,” said Darrell, frowning.
“No; that is all a very mean talk of Roper's. Attorney General Williams had promised George Mechlin's uncle, six months ago, to dismiss the appeal as soon as the Supreme Court should be session, and, though it cuts us all to pieces, I must say he kept his word like a man; that's all.”
“Yes, it was that infernal, dandified puppy George Mechlin, who did the mischief. I'll be even with him yet for it,” Old Mathews growled.