In half an
hour, when he had come to a convenient stopping-place, he opened the
door and stood uncomfortably before the young man he had so long
admired.
West, sitting behind his long table, skimming busily through the paper
with blue pencil and scissors, looked up with his agreeable smile.
"Well! What do you see that looks likely for--What's the matter? Are you
sick to-day?"
"No, I am quite well, thank you. I find very little in the news, though.
You notice that a digest of the railroad bill is given out?"
"Yes. You don't look a bit well, old fellow. You must take a holiday
after the legislature goes. Yes, I'm going to take the hide off that
bill. Or better yet--you. Don't you feel like shooting off some big guns
at it?"
"Certainly, if you want me to. There is the farmers' convention, too.
And by the way, I'd like to leave as soon as you can fill my place."
West dropped scissors, pencil, and paper and stared at him with dismayed
amazement. "_Leave!_ Why, you are never thinking of _leaving_ me!"
"Yes. I'd--like to leave. I thought I ought to tell you this morning, so
that you can at once make your plans as to my successor.
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