The genial Senator held out his hand. Everybody was his friend.
"Glad to meet you, sir; glad to meet you," he exclaimed. "Must make you acquainted with my daughters. This is Miss Carolina Langdon, this Miss Hope Georgia Langdon."
The two girls, with their father's idea of courtesy, shook hands with the clerk, who was not at all taken aback by the unexpected honor.
Hope Georgia was thoroughly delighted with everything, but Carolina looked at the worn and faded walls and furnishings with evident distaste.
"Oh, this is Washington," murmured Hope Georgia ecstatically, clasping her hands and gazing at a vista of artificial palms in a corridor.
"Ah, this is Washington," sighed the new Senator contentedly, as he gazed across a hall at the biggest and most gorgeous cigar stand he had ever seen or ever hoped to see--the only new thing added to the hotel since Grant was President.
"Truly magnificent establishment you have here, sir; magnificent!" he exclaimed as an imitation marble column came within his purview. "I remember my friend Senator Moseley speaking to me of it thirty years ago. Are our rooms ready?"
The clerk, hugely pleased, hastened to assure him that everything was in first-class order, waiting.
"You better go up, girls, while I look around a bit and sort of get the hang of things."
"Yes, I think we had better look around a bit, too, before we decide, father," said Carolina, diplomatically.
Her father patted her affectionately on the arm.
"Now, don't you worry, Carolina. I see you think this place too expensive from its looks--too good for us. But I tell you the best, even this, isn't too good for you girls and your dad. Run away, and I'll come up and see you soon."
The new Senator leaned his elbow on the desk, surveying the place.
"I understand this is a favorite haunt for the big men of Washington," he said.
"Yes, indeed, Senator; we have them all. Senator Peabody and Senator Stevens were here just a moment ago. Boy, find Senator Peabody and Senator Stevens and tell them Senator Langdon is here."
"I'm glad to see you, Langdon; glad to see you," exclaimed Stevens, with an assumption of effusiveness. "I want to introduce you to Senator Peabody of Pennsylvania."
Peabody bowed, and Langdon held out his hand.