“You can all readily become entitled—”
“All? Am I—are my friends—included in this new depa’tyuh?”
“The difficulty applies generally, Mr. Gilet.”
“Do I understand the Gove’nuh to insinuate—nay, gentlemen, do not rise! Be seated, I beg.” For the Councillors had leaped to their feet.
“Whar’s our money?” said Pete Cawthon. “Our money was put in thet yere box.”
Ballard flushed angrily, but a knock at the door stopped him, and he merely said, “Come in.”
A trooper, a corporal, stood at the entrance, and the disordered Council endeavored to look usual in a stranger’s presence. They resumed their seats, but it was not easy to look usual on such short notice.
“Captain Paisley’s compliments,” said the soldier, mechanically, “and will Governor Ballard take supper with him this evening?”
“Thank Captain Paisley,” said the Governor (his tone was quite usual), “and say that official business connected with the end of the session makes it imperative for me to be at the State-House. Imperative.”