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SELLERS
My boy, he won't do it. I've had an interview with him and he won't disgorge. He [has figures to show] that in spite of all our work, we owe him ten thousand dollars.
LAFAYETTE
Ten thousand dollars! Impossible .
SELLERS
[My dear boy, nothing is impossible in this country. He's] got it down in black and white, he says the appropriation was eaten up in getting the bill through Congress and that we owe for our assessments.
LAFAYETTE
There's some villainy here.
SELLERS
I know, but we're too good to find it out, we're too honest for this [city]. Let us go west, young man— hic—go west.
LAFAYETTE
Go west! Did it ever occur to you, my dear Colonel, that you were by no means the sort of man to be hiding your capacities in the obscurities of the west? You ought to be in Congress .
SELLERS
(After a pause, gravely.)Lafayette, I've known you ever since you were a child, I've seen you grow to manhood, I've known your Father; but what have I ever done to you to justify you in making a remark like that ?
LAFAYETTE
My dear Colonel, I did not mean to offend you.
SELLERS
O, it's all right my boy, it's all right, but I've got a little pride left [and darn it, don't—don't crush it like that.]
(Enter LAURA.)
LAURA
I've just heard that the bill has passed the House of Representatives, clear two thirds vote! The three millions are almost ours! [Ah Colonel Sellers, it is water to the thirsty, and meat to the hungry to look in an honest face again.]
(Shakes hands.)
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