“Do you live in Washington?” she inquired.
‚ÄúNo‚ÅÝ‚Äîbut I want to. I‚Äôve been trying to get in as a clerk, and I haven‚Äôt succeeded yet. That‚Äôs what I‚Äôm going to see Senator Smith about.‚Äù
“Have you had the civil-service examinations?”
“Yes. I made ninety-three in the examination for a treasury clerkship.”
‚ÄúAnd no appointment? I see‚ÅÝ‚Äîthey are not partial to us there.‚Äù
Bles was glad to hear her say “us.”
She continued after a pause:
“May I venture to ask a favor of you?”
“Certainly,” he responded.
‚ÄúMy name is Wynn,‚Äù lowering her voice slightly and leaning toward him. ‚ÄúThere are so many ahead of me and I am in a hurry to get to my school; but I must see the Senator‚ÅÝ‚Äîcouldn‚Äôt I go in with you? I think I might be of service in this matter of the examination, and then perhaps I‚Äôd get a chance to say a word for myself.‚Äù
“I’d be very glad to have you come,” said Bles, cordially.
The secretary hesitated a little when the two started in, but Miss Wynn’s air was so quietly assured that he yielded.
Senator Smith looked at the tall, straight black man with his smooth skin and frank eyes. And for a second time that morning a vision of his own youth dimmed his eyes. But he spoke coldly:
‚Äú Mr. ¬ÝAlwyn, I believe.‚Äù