“It wouldn't do for the party leaders to make you too prominent all at once,” said Mr. Bascom. “You are bound to take an active part in what passes here. The general said, 'At all events I will give Mr. Crewe one chairmanship by which he can make a name for himself suited to his talents,' and he insisted on giving you, in spite of some remonstrances from your friends, National Affairs. The general urged, rightly, that with your broad view and knowledge of national policy, it was his duty to put you in that place whatever people might say.”
Mr. Crewe listened to these explanations in some surprise; and being a rational man, had to confess that they were--more or less reasonable.
“Scarcely any bills come before that committee,” he objected.
“Ah,” replied Mr. Bascom, “that is true. But the chairman of that committee is generally supposed to be in line for--er--national honours. It has not always happened in the past, because the men have not proved worthy. But the opportunity is always given to that chairman to make a speech upon national affairs which is listened to with the deepest interest.
“Is that so?” said Mr. Crewe. He wanted to be of service, as we know. He was a man of ideas, and the opening sentences of the speech were already occurring to him.
“Let's go upstairs and see the general now,” suggested Mr. Botcher, smiling that such a happy thought should have occurred to him.
“Why, I guess we couldn't do any better,” Mr. Bascom agreed.
“Well,” said Mr. Crewe, “I'm willing to hear what he's got to say, anyway.”
Taking advantage of this generous concession, Mr. Botcher hastily locked the door, and led the way up the stairway to number seventy-five. After a knock or two here, the door opened a crack, disclosing, instead of General Doby's cherubic countenance, a sallow face with an exceedingly pointed nose. The owner of these features, having only Mr. Botcher in his line of vision, made what was perhaps an unguarded remark.
“Hello, Jake, the general's in number nine--Manning sent for him about half an hour ago.”
It was Mr. Botcher himself who almost closed the door on the gentleman's sharp nose, and took Mr. Crewe's arm confidingly.
“We'll go up to the desk and see Doby in the morning,--he's busy,” said the Honourable Jake.