He pointed out to her its value to the Government for defensive purposes, and how it naturally commanded the entrance of the Golden Gate far better than Fort Point, and that it ought to be in its hands.

If the Federal Government did not buy it of her husband, certainly the State of California should.

And here he fell into an abstraction as deep and as gloomy as before.

He walked to the window, paced the floor with his hand in his breast, went to the door, and finally stepped out of the cabin, moving along the ledge of rocks to the shore, where he stood motionless.
Mrs.Bunker had listened to him with parted lips and eyes of eloquent admiration.

She had never before heard anyone talk like THAT--she had not believed it possible that any one could have such knowledge.