Page:Despotism and democracy; a study in Washington society and politics (IA despotismdemocra00seawiala).pdf/89

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it was a premeditated meeting on the Senator's part.

He was a tall, ugly old man with chin-whiskers, but his appearance was redeemed by the power which spoke from his strongly marked face, and by his punctilious, old-fashioned dress and extreme neatness. He wore a silk hat made from a block he had used for thirty years. His coat, gray and wide-skirted, seemed of the same vintage, and his spotless collar of antique pattern, and his large black silk necktie might have been worn by Daniel Webster himself. A big pair of gold spectacles and a gold-headed cane completed a costume which was admirably harmonious, and produced the effect of an old lady in 1903 with the side curls and cap of 1853.

The Senator had a newspaper spread out before him, but as Thorndyke approached folded it up, pushed his gold spectacles up on his forehead, and called out:

"Hello! Have you read about the 'Wondrous Boy' this morning?"

"I have," replied Thorndyke, smiling pleasantly as he lifted his hat, and in response to a silent invi-