Part 18 (2/2)
”In the corner there on the right.”
”Oh, that's the Sardinian Minister--King Victor Emmanuel's new drummer of trade for Genoa. He's getting ahead of the French, too.”
”No--no, I don't mean that little rat. I mean the big fellow with the heavy jaw and a face like a rattlesnake. He's trying to charm you too.”
Jennie laughed.
”Silly! That's the new Secretary of War, Joseph Holt.”
”A scoundrel, if G.o.d ever made one--”
”Because he looks at me?”
”No--that shows his good taste. It's the way he looks at you and moves his crooked mouth and the way he bends his big flat head forward.”
”Rubbish--he's a loyal Southerner--and if we have to fight he'll be with us.”
”Yes--he--_will_!”
”Of course, he will. He's careful now. He's in old Buck's cabinet. Wait and see. He called on Mr. Davis last night.”
”That's nothing--so did old Seward--”
”Different--Seward's a Black Republican from New York--Holt's a Southern Democrat from Mississippi.”
”And who's the young knight by his side with the dear little mustache to which he seems so attached?”
Jennie looked in silence for a moment.
”I never saw him before. He's handsome, isn't he?”
”Looks to me like a young black snake just shed his skin waiting for that old adder to show him how to strike.”
”d.i.c.k--”
”G.o.d save the Queen! They're coming here--they're coming for you--”
The Secretary of War had nodded in recognition of Jennie, risen suddenly, and moved toward the gallery exit with his slender companion.
”Nonsense, d.i.c.k--he only bowed because he saw me staring--”
”He's bringing that mustache to meet you--”
The boy turned with a scowl toward the door of their gallery and saw the Secretary of War slowly making his way through the crowd to their seats.
”I told you so--”
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