Captain Sweetsir, on his own part, did not apprehend trouble, either, but the A.-G.'s bland and unconscious encouragement of laxity was distinctly irritating, "Excuse me, sir, but I have been telling 'em right along that there will be a rumpus. I was trying to key 'em up!" "Remember that you're a citizen as well as a soldier!" The general rebuked his subaltern sternly. "Don't defame the fair name of your city and state, sir! The guard has been called out by His Excellency, the Commander-in-Chief, merely as a precaution. The presence of troops in the State House--their mere presence here--has cleared the whole situation. Mayor Morrison agrees with me perfectly on that point." "He does?" demanded the captain, eagerly, showing relief. "Why, I was afraid--" He checked himself. "Of what, sir?" "He didn't look like giving three cheers when I told him in the mill office that we had been ordered out." "Mayor Morrison called me on the telephone in the middle of the day and I explained to him why it was thought necessary to have the State House guarded." "And what did he say?" urged the captain, still more eagerly. Again he caught himself. He saluted. "I beg your pardon, General Totten. I have no right to put questions to my superior officer." But General Totten was not a military martinet. He was an amiable gentleman from civil life, strong with the proletariat because he had been through the chairs in many fraternal organizations and, therefore, handy in politics; and he was strong with the Governor on account of another fraternal tie--his sister was the Governor's wife. General Totten, as a professional mixer, enjoyed a chat. "That's all right, Captain! What did the mayor say, you ask? He courteously made no comment. Official tact! He is well gifted in that line. His manner spoke for him--signified his complete agreement. He was cordially polite! Very!" The general put on his cap and slanted it at a jaunty angle. "And he still approves. Is very grateful for the manner in which I'm handling the situation. He called me only a few minutes ago. From his residence! I informed him that all was serene on Capitol Hill." "And what did he say when he called you this time?" "Nothing! Oh, nothing by way of criticism! Distinctly affable!" Captain Sweetsir did not display the enthusiasm that General Totten seemed to expect. "Let's see, Captain! You are employed by him?" "Not quite that way! I'm a mill student--learning the wool business at St. Ronan's." "Aren't you and Mayor Morrison friendly?" "Oh yes! Certainly, sir! But--" Captain Sweetsir appeared to be having much difficulty in completing his sentences, now that Stewart Morrison had become the topic of conversation. "But what?" "He didn't say anything, you tell me?"