Page:Despotism and democracy; a study in Washington society and politics (IA despotismdemocra00seawiala).pdf/51

 Websters in the State Department. The trouble is, however, that foreign Chancelleries persist in taking the State Department seriously. They can't take in that you, as chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, are of a good deal more consequence at present than the Secretary of State. You can send for him, but he can't send for you. You can call for information from him and practically force him to give it to you, but he can't make you tell the day of the week unless you want to."

Crane, who had signed and sealed his note while Thorndyke was speaking, glowed with pleasure at the last words. But he returned to his grievance about none of the smart set taking any particular interest in what was going to happen on the morrow.

"The diplomatic people are taking the deepest interest in it," replied Thorndyke, grimly, "and when this report is read to-morrow they will be up against a fierce proposition." Thorndyke was not above using slang when in the company of men alone.

They fell to work again at some last details, and