Королі та капуста

           Youhadawhisperyesterday,SeñorMellinger,ofourproposals.To-nightwewillspeakout.Weknowthatyoustandinthepresident’sfavour,andweknowyourinfluence.Thegovernmentwillbechanged.Weknowtheworthofyourservices.Weesteemyourfriendshipandaidsomuchthat’—Mellingerraiseshishand,butthegovernormanbottleshimup.‘DonotspeakuntilIhavedone.’

           "Thegovernormanthendrawsapackagewrappedinpaperfromhispocket,andlaysitonthetablebyMellinger’shand.

           "‘Inthatyouwillfindfiftythousanddollarsinmoneyofyourcountry.Youcandonothingagainstus,butyoucanbeworththatforus.Gobacktothecapitalandobeyourinstructions.Takethatmoneynow.Wetrustyou.Youwillfindwithitapapergivingindetailtheworkyouwillbeexpectedtodoforus.Donothavetheunwisenesstorefuse.’

           "Thegovernormanpaused,withhiseyesfixedonMellinger,fullofexpressionsandobservances.IlookedatMellinger,andwasgladBillyRenfrewcouldn’tseehimthen.Thesweatwaspoppingoutonhisforehead,andhestooddumb,tappingthelittlepackagewiththeendsofhisfingers.Thecolorado-madurogangwasafterhisgraft.Hehadonlytochangehispolitics,andstufffivefingersinhisinsidepocket.

           "Henrywhisperstomeandwantsthepauseintheprogrammeinterpreted.Iwhisperback:‘H.P.isupagainstabribe,senator’ssize,andthecoonshavegothimgoing.’IsawMellinger’shandmovingclosertothepackage.‘He’sweakening,’IwhisperedtoHenry.