"Yet, if I may venture, could not Your Excellency—"
The President stopped and regarded me with severity. "I have already remarked, sir, that such adulatory titles—"
"Pardon me, Mr. Jefferson!" I cried.
His look did not relax. "Nor 'Mister' Jefferson, if you please, sir. I am Thomas Jefferson, the servant of the people and a plain citizen of the Republic,—no more, no less."
Knowing the greatness of the man behind this small foible, I bowed acquiescence to the statement, and he, smiling gravely in response, added with cordiality: "As I have intimated, the Executive will not interfere with any proper plans which General Wilkinson may deem expedient. Yet I will say that, in the event he carries out the contemplated expedition to our Western boundaries, I should be pleased to hear of such a well-qualified assistant as yourself being included in the party as a volunteer."
I covered my disappointment with the best smile I could muster: "In that event, sir, I fear that I must repress my adventurous longings."
I bowed and stepped aside for him to pass on. He mounted with easy agility, but checked his over-willing horse for a parting remark: "Sir, I am pleased to have met you. I shall be more pleased to meet you at my table this evening."
Before I could recover from my astonishment he had touched his hat civilly, and was cantering away across country.