But for all this Mr.Hardlines cared little.

The President and the Secretary of State, the joint Secretaries and the Chairmen, all allowed themselves to be led by him in this matter.

His ambition was about to be gratified.

It was his destiny that he should remodel the Civil Service.

What was it to him whether or no one insignificant office would listen to his charming?
Let the Secretary at the Weights and Measures sneer as he would; he would make that hero of the metallic currency know that he, Mr.Hardlines, was his master.
At the end of six months his budding glory broke out into splendid, full-blown, many-coloured flowers.