‚ÄúWhat!‚ÅÝ‚Äîand no appointment?‚Äù The Senator was incredulous.
“No, sir; not yet.”
Here Miss Wynn interposed.
“You see, Senator,” she said, “civil-service rules are not always impervious to race prejudice.”
The Senator frowned.
‚ÄúDo you mean to intimate that Mr. ¬ÝAlwyn‚Äôs appointment is held up because he is colored?‚Äù
“I do.”
‚ÄúWell‚ÅÝ‚Äîwell!‚Äù The Senator rang for a clerk.
“Get me the Treasury on the telephone.”
In a moment the bell rang.
‚ÄúI want Mr. ¬ÝCole. Is that you, Mr. ¬ÝCole? Good morning. Have you a young man named Alwyn on your eligible list? What? Yes?‚Äù A pause. ‚ÄúIndeed? Well, why has he no appointment? Of course, I know, he‚Äôs a Negro. Yes, I desire it very much‚ÅÝ‚Äîthank you.‚Äù
“You’ll get an appointment tomorrow morning,” and the Senator rose. “How is my sister?” he asked absently.
“She was looking worried, but hopeful of the new endowment when I left.” The Senator held out his hand; Bles took it and then remembered.
“Oh, I beg pardon, but Miss Wynn wanted a word on another matter.”