“Beer!” echoed the Secretary, in a tone of mingled astonishment and indignation. “Beer! Why, sir, he’s one of the most ardent spirits engaged in the teetotal cause. He has been one of us for upwards of ten years or more.”
“And before that, eh?”
“He was on the Press.”
“Hum!” observed the President.
“But he’s quite reformed now,” answered the Secretary, to the objection implied in the President’s monosyllable.
“And you say he is really eloquent?”
“Remarkably so—very, remarkably so. In fact, I may say a puffick J. B. Gough.”
“Has he written in favour of the cause?”
“Largely, sir. His tracks is well known.”
“Then send him in again.”