We may be talking two hours. Such things can't be
threshed out in a minute. You can introduce me, say a good word, and
leave us to fight it out----"
"I want to stay," she interrupted.
"Nonsense, dear, it may take hours. Besides, I may have some things to
say to the President, and he some things to say to me that it were
better a sweet girl's ears should not hear----"
"That's exactly what I wish to prevent, John, dear," she pleaded. "You
must be careful and say nothing to offend the President. It means too
much. We must win."
"I'll be wise in the choice of words. But you mustn't stay, dear. I'm
not a child. I don't need a chaperone."
"But you may need a friend----"
"He does wield the power of kings--doesn't he?"
"With the tenderness and love of a father, yes."
"And yet I've wondered," he went on in a curious cold tone, "why he
hasn't been killed--when the death of one man would end this carnival of
murder----"
"John, how can you say such things?" Betty gasped.
"It's true, dear," he answered calmly. "This man's will alone has
prevented peace and prevents it now. The soldiers on both sides joke
with one another across the picket lines. They get together and play
cards at night. Before the battle begins, our boys call out:
"'Get into your holes, now, Johnnie, we've got to shoot.
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