"'Very likely,' said one member of Congress."
"'I have not a doubt of it,' said the other member. 'But let us know, if you please madam, what he is.'"
"'As I said before, I would not have believed it if Mrs. S. had not told me herself,' said Mrs. R., hesitating."
"'Oh, no doubt you are right,' said the naval officer: 'but please let us know who it is we have been so familiar with.'"
"'Well,' said Mrs. R. 'Mrs. S. told me that her husband was going to Washington to be Porter to the Senate.'"
Here my wife interrupted Mrs. M. with a fit of laughter almost equal to that with which Mrs. M. had indulged herself in the outset.
"So," said the former, "Mrs. R. mistook the word Reporter, for that of Porter,—an important omission."
"So it would seem," rejoined Mrs. M. "But let me go on."
"'Porter to the Senate!' exclaimed every voice."
"'A fellow who runs errands for the Senators, fetches and carries bundles, &c., I suppose,' said the naval officer."