Making a profound bow to Mrs. Coleman, he
advanced to the fireplace and instantly shook hands with Zachariah.
"Well, my republican, you are better, although the beery loyalist has
left his mark upon you."
"Certainly, much better; but where I should have been, sir, if it had
not been for you, I don't know."
"Ah, well; it was an absolute pleasure to me to teach the blackguard
that cheering a Bourbon costs something. My God, though, a man must
be a fool who has to be taught that! I wonder what it HAS cost us.
Why, I see you've got my friend, Major Cartwright, up there."
Zachariah and his wife started a moment at what they considered the
profane introduction of God's name; but it was not exactly swearing,
and Major Maitland's relationship to them was remarkable. They were
therefore silent.
"A true friend of the people," continued Maitland, "is Major
Cartwright; but he does not go quite far enough to please me."
"As for the people so-called," quoth Zachariah, "I doubt whether they
are worth saving. Look at the mob we saw the day before yesterday.
I think not of the people. But there is a people, even in these days
of Ahab, whose feet may yet be on the necks of their enemies.
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