"Read 'em," said Mr. Crewe, "and I'll call in on you at the state-house day after to-morrow at five o'clock promptly. We'll discuss 'em, Governor, and if, by the light of your legislative experience, you have any suggestions to make, I shall be glad to hear 'em. Before putting the bills in their final shape I've taken the trouble to go over them with my friend, Mr. Flint--our mutual friend, let us say." "I've had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Flint," said Mr. Gray. "I--ahem --can't say that I know him intimately." Mr. Crewe looked at Mr. Gray in a manner which plainly indicated that he was not an infant. "My relations with Mr. Flint and the Northeastern have been very pleasant," said Mr. Crewe. "I may say that I am somewhat of a practical railroad and business man myself." "We need such men," said Mr. Gray. "Why, how do you do, Cary? How are the boys up in Wheeler?" "Well, good-by, Governor. See you day after to-morrow at five precisely," said Mr. Crewe. The next official call of Mr. Crewe was on the Speaker-to-be, Mr. Doby of Hale (for such matters are cut and dried), but any amount of pounding on Mr. Doby's door (number seventy-five) brought no response. Other rural members besides Mr. Crewe came and pounded on that door, and went away again; but Mr. Job Braden suddenly appeared from another part of the corridor, smiling benignly, and apparently not resenting the refusal of his previous offers of help. "W--want the Speaker?" he inquired. Mr. Crewe acknowledged that he did. "Ed only sleeps there," said Mr. Braden. "Guess you'll find him in the Railroad-Room." "Railroad Room?" "Hilary Vane's, Number Seven." Mr. Braden took hold of the lapel of his fellow-townsman's coat. "Callated you didn't know it all," he said; "that's the reason I come down--so's to help you some."