He greeted the consul with
hearty good-humor.
"I'm ordered home!" he announced gleefully. Then, remembering the
presence of Livingstone, he hastened to add: "I needn't say how
sorry I am to give up my yachting trip, but orders are orders. The
President," he explained to Marshall, " cables me this morning to
come back and take my coat off." The prospect, as a change from
playing bridge on a pleasure boat, seemed far from depressing him.
"Those filibusters in the Senate," he continued genially, "are
making trouble again. They think they've got me out of the way for
another month, but they'll find they're wrong. When that bill comes
up, they'll find me at the old stand and ready for business!"
Marshall did not attempt to conceal his personal disappointment.
"I am so sorry you are leaving," he said; "selfishly sorry, I mean.
I'd hoped you all would be here for several days." He looked
inquiringly toward Livingstone.
"I understood the SERAPIS was disabled," he explained.
"She is," answered Hanley. "So's the RALEIGH. At a pinch, the
admiral might have stretched the regulations and carried me to
Jamaica, but the RALEIGH's engines are knocked about too. I've GOT
to reach Kingston Thursday. The German boat leaves there Thursday
for New York. At first it looked as though I couldn't do it, but we
find that the Royal Mail is due to- day, and she can get to
Kingston Wednesday night. It's a great piece of luck. I wouldn't
bother you with my troubles, "the senator explained pleasantly,
"but the agent of the Royal Mail here won't sell me a ticket until
you've put your seal to this.
Pages:
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58