At first his eyes widened in surprise, then he flushed with the memory of his recent anger, finally ending by throwing himself back in his chair and laughing till the tears rolled down his cheeks.
Meanwhile Jonas' eyes were moving with beaming admiration from the face of the stranger to the bottle of champagne and back again.
"Boss," he said finally, seeing that the newcomer showed no signs of seriousness. "Boss, don't you want me to open the wine for you?"
"No," the young man answered, rising. "I'll let you open it for me later. Present my compliments to the gentlemen and tell them I'll be with them in a few minutes."
As he stood before the mirror of his bureau and adjusted a fresh stock, he smiled at the wavering reflection before him.
"Sargent Everett," he said, half aloud. "You've made a first impression—and—I'm very much of the opinion—that it may prove an uncomfortably lasting one."
CHAPTER III
JULEPS AND POLITICS
"Yes, gentlemen, it is true—the President removed seven hundred office holders and appointed in their places men of his own political beliefs."
"Well, Jefferson did the same—why not Jackson?"