On the way he was jubilant with hope:
"We've got them now, Boy--we've got them, and this war must speedily
end! Lee will never get into Maryland with fifty thousand effective men.
With the river hemming him in on the rear I'll have McClellan on him
with a hundred thousand well shod, well fed, well armed and with the
finest artillery that ever thundered into battle. We're bound to win."
"If McClellan can whip him, sir?"
"Yes, of course, he's got to do that," was the thoughtful answer. "And
you know I believe he'll do it. McClellan's on his mettle now. His army
will fight like tigers to show their faith in him. He's vain and
ambitious, yes--many great men are. Ambition's a mighty human motive."
"I'm afraid it's bad diplomacy, sir, to go to his house like this--he is
vain, you know," the younger man observed with a frown.
"Tut, tut, Boy, it's no time for ceremony. Who cares a copper!"
The clock in the church tower struck ten as Hay sprang up the steps and
rang the bell.
"I hope he hasn't gone to bed," the Secretary said.
"At ten o'clock?" the President laughed, "a great general about to march
on the most important campaign of his life--hardly."
The straight orderly saluted and ushered them into the elegant reception
room--the room so often graced by the Prince de Joinville and the Comte
de Paris, of the General's staff.
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