that gentleman, his wife rose, came to him,
put her arm affectionately in his, and leaning her head upon his
shoulder, whispered exultingly, and not very softly,

"It's done without the wagon. Our dear boy has justified our fondest
hopes, Budlong."

The statesman slipped his shoulder from under her head. If there were
one thing of which he was profoundly persuaded it was that a really
great man--a man to whom important public functions may be properly
intrusted--must, under no circumstances, be wheedled by his wife. He
must gently, but firmly, teach her her proper sphere. She must _not_
attempt to bribe that judgment to which the country naturally looks in
moments of difficulty.

Having restored his wife to an upright position, the honorable gentleman
looked upon her with distinguished consideration; and, playing with the
seals that hung at the end of his watch-ribbon, asked her, with the most
protective kindness in the world, what she was talking about.

She laid her cap-ribbons properly upon her shoulder, smoothed her dress,
and began to fan herself in a kind of complacent triumph, as she
answered,

"Alfred is engaged as we wished."

The honorable gentleman beamed approval with as much cordiality as
statesmen who are also fathers of private families, as well as of the
public, ought to indulge toward their children. Shaking the hand of his
son as if his shoulder wanted oiling, he said,

"Marriage is a most important relation. Young men can not be too cautious
in regard to it. It is not an affair of the feelings merely; but common
sense dictates that when new relations are likely to arise, suitable
provision should be made. Hence every well-regulated person considers
the matter from a pecuniary point of view. The pecuniary point of view is
indispensable. We can do without sentiment in this world, for sentiment
is a luxury. We can not dispense with money, because money is a
necessity. It gives me, therefore, great pleasure to hear that the
choice of my son has evinced the good sense which, I may say without
affectation, I hope he has inherited, and has justified the pains and
expense which I have been at in his education. My son, I congratulate
you. Mrs. Dinks, I congratulate you."

The honorable gentleman thereupon shook hands with his wife and son, as
if he were congratulating them upon having such an eloquent and dignified
husband and father, and then blew his nose gravely and loudly. Having
restored his han