Королі та капуста

           Andthen,ofcourse,hehadtobemoreformallyintroducedtothenativeofficials,andhavehiscredentialstransmittedthroughaninterpreter.

           TherewassomethingabouttheyoungSouthernerthatthesophisticatedKeoghliked.Hismannerwassimplealmosttoboyishness;buthepossessedthecoolcarelessnessofamanoffargreaterageandexperience.Neitheruniformsnortitles,redtapenorforeignlanguages,mountainsnorseaweigheduponhisspirits.Hewasheirtoalltheages,anAtwood,ofDalesburg;andyoumightknoweverythoughtconceivedinhisbosom.

           Geddiecamedowntotheconsulatetoexplainthedutiesandworkingsoftheoffice.HeandKeoghtriedtointerestthenewconsulintheirdescriptionoftheworkthathisgovernmentexpectedhimtoperform.

           "It’sallright,"saidJohnnyfromthehammockthathehadsetupastheofficialrecliningplace."IfanythingturnsupthathastobedoneI’llletyoufellowsdoit.Youcan’texpectaDemocrattoworkduringhisfirsttermofholdingoffice."

           "Youmightlookovertheseheadings,"suggestedGeddie,"ofthedifferentlinesofexportsyouwillhavetokeepaccountof.Thefruitisclassified;andtherearethevaluablewoods,coffee,rubber—"

           "Thatlastaccountsoundsallright,"interruptedMr.Atwood."Soundsasifitcouldbestretched.Iwanttobuyanewflag,amonkey,aguitarandabarrelofpineapples.Willthatrubberaccountstretchover’em?"

           "That’smerelystatistics,"saidGeddie,smiling."Theexpenseaccountiswhatyouwant.