"It's not a crime, Mother, to aspire to high office. The bee is in poor Chase's bonnet. He can't help it. I've felt the thing tickle myself. If he can beat me let the best man win----" "Don't--don't--don't say such fool things," his wife cried. "I'll scream! You need a guardian. You have three men in your Cabinet who are using their positions to climb into the Presidency over you--old Seward, Chase and now Stanton, and you smile and smile and let them think you don't know. You'll never have a united and powerful administration until you kick those scoundrels out----" "Mother--Mother--you mustn't----" "I will--I'll tell you the truth--nobody else does. I tell you to kick these scoundrels out and put men in their places who will loyally support you and your policies!" "I've no right in such an hour to think of my own ambitions, my dear," was the even, quiet answer. "Seward is the best man for his place I know in the country. Stanton is making the most efficient War Secretary we have ever had. Chase is a great manager of our Treasury. I'm afraid to risk a new man. If these men can win over me by rendering their country a greater service than I can, they ought to win----" "But can't you see, you big baby, that it isn't the man who really gives the greatest service that may win? It's the liar and hypocrite undermining his Chief who may win. Won't you have common sense and send those men about their business? Surely you won't lose this chance to get rid of Chase. Won't you accept his resignation?" "No." There was a moment's tense silence. The wife looked up appealingly and the rugged hand touched hers gently. "I think, Father, you're the most headstrong man that God ever made!" The dark, wistful face brightened: "And yet they say I'm a good-natured, easy-going fellow with no convictions?" "They don't know you----" "I'm sorry, Mother, we don't see it the same way, but one of us has to decide these things, and I suppose I'm the one." "I suppose so," she admitted wearily. "But tell me," he cried cheerfully, "what can I do right now to make you happy? You sent for me for something. You didn't know that Chase was there, did you?" She hesitated and answered cautiously: "It doesn't matter whether I did or not. You refuse to listen to my advice." He bent nearer in evident distress: "What can I do, Mother?" "I need some money. Since Willie's death last winter I've thought nothing of my dresses for the next season. I must begin to attend to them. I need a thousand dollars." "To-day?" "Yes." He looked at her with a twinkle playing around the corner of his eyes as he slowly rose: "Send Phoebe in for the check." "Ring for her, please." He pulled the old-fashioned red cord vigorously, walked back to the lounge, put his hands in his pockets and looked at his wife in a comical way. "Mother," he said at last, "you're a very subtle woman. You'd make a great diplomat if you didn't talk quite so much." CHAPTER XIX THE REBEL