"
"That's very flattering, Mr. Gotobed, but I'm sure I don't know
why."
"Because Lord Drummond always seems to me to have more on hand than
he knows how to get through, and you never seem to have anything to
do."
"That's not quite so flattering,--and would be killing, only that I
feel that your opinion is founded on error. Mens conscia recti, Mr.
Gotobed."
"Exactly. I understand English pretty well; better as far as I can
see than some of those I meet around me here; but I don't go beyond
that, Mr. Green."
"I merely meant to observe, Mr. Gotobed, that as, within my own
breast, I am conscious of my zeal and diligence in Her Majesty's
service your shafts of satire pass me by without hurting me. Shall
I offer you a cigar? A candle burned at both ends is soon
consumed." It was quite clear that as quickly as the Senator got
through one end of his cigar by the usual process of burning, so
quickly did he eat the other end. But he took that which Mounser
Green offered him without any displeasure at the allusion. "I'm
sorry to say that I haven't a spittoon," said Mounser Green, "but
the whole fire-place is at your service." The Senator could hardly
have heard this, as it made no difference in his practice.
Morton at this moment was sent for by the Secretary of State, and
the Senator expressed his intention of waiting for him in Mr.
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