"
As soon as Mr. Trollop had taken his leave, Laura ran to Senator
Dilworthy and began to speak, but he interrupted her and said
distressfully, without even turning from his writing to look at her:
"Only half an hour! You gave it up early, child. However, it was best,
it was best--I'm sure it was best--and safest."
"Give it up! I!"
The Senator sprang up, all aglow:
"My child, you can't mean that you--"
"I've made him promise on honor to think about a compromise tonight and
come and tell me his decision in the morning."
"Good! There's hope yet that--"
"Nonsense, uncle. I've made him engage to let the Tennessee Land bill
utterly alone!"
"Impossible! You--"
"I've made him promise to vote with us!"
"INCREDIBLE! Abso--"
"I've made him swear that he'll work for us!"
"PRE - - - POSTEROUS!--Utterly pre--break a window, child, before I
suffocate!"
"No matter, it's true anyway. Now we can march into Congress with drums
beating and colors flying!"
"Well--well--well. I'm sadly bewildered, sadly bewildered. I can't
understand it at all--the most extraordinary woman that ever--it's a
great day, it's a great day. There--there--let me put my hand in
benediction on this precious head. Ah, my child, the poor negro will
bless--"
"Oh bother the poor negro, uncle! Put it in your speech. Good-night,
good-bye--we'll marshal our forces and march with the dawn!"
Laura reflected a while, when she was alone, and then fell to laughing,
peacefully.
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