He was filled with boyish wonder and astonishment; but, after all, he was forced to admit that the President, though a tall specimen of humanity, looked very much like the rest of mankind--to borrow a phrase from one of his illustrious predecessors.
Tom was too tired to wonder long at the grandeur of the Capitol, and the simple magnificence of the President.

The tents were pitched, and the weary men were allowed a season of rest.

In a couple of days, however, our soldier boy was "as good as new." "Come, Tom, it is about time for you too see something of the city," said Ben Lethbridge, one afternoon, after the regiment had become fairly settled in its new quarters.
"I should like to take a tramp.

There are lots of congressmen here, and I should like to know what they look like," replied Tom.

"I haven't been outside the lines since we came here." "I have; and I'm going again! Fred and I mean to have a good time to-day.
Will you go ?" "Have you got a pass ?" "A pass! What a stupid! What do you want of a pass?
You can't get one.
They won't give any." "Then we can't go, of course." "Bah! What a great calf you are! Don't you want to cry again ?" "Ben, you needn't say cry to me again as long as you live," added Tom.