Jeff was the first one to whom Bill revealed the news.  When he reached home for supper Jeff took his “plug” hat and smoothed it before hanging it upon the hall-rack.

“Dar now!” said the old man:  “I knowed it was er comin’.  I knowed it was gwine ter happen.  Er Judge, you says, Mars William?  Dem Yankees done made you er judge?  It’s high time, sah, dey was doin’ somep’n to make up for dey rascality endurin’ de war.  I boun’ dey holds a confab and says:  ’Le’s make Mars William Pemberton er judge, and dat’ll settle it.’  Does you have to go way down to dem Fillypines, Mars William, or kin you judge ’em from here?”

“I’d have to live there most of the time, of course,” said Billy.

“I wonder what de Gubnor gwine say ’bout dat,” speculated Jeff.

Billy wondered too.

After supper, when the two sat in the library, according to their habit, the Governor smoking his clay pipe and Billy his cigar, the son dutifully confessed to having been tendered the appointment.

For a long time the Governor sat, smoking, without making any comment.  Billy reclined in his favourite rocker, waiting, perhaps still flushed with satisfaction over the tender that had come to him, unsolicited, in his dingy little office, above the heads of the intriguing, time-serving, clamorous multitude.

At last the Governor spoke; and, though his words were seemingly irrelevant, they were to the point.  His voice had a note of martyrdom running through its senile quaver.

“My rheumatism has been growing steadily worse these past months, William.”

“I am sorry, father,” said Billy, gently.

“And I am nearly seventy-eight.  I am getting to be an old man.  I can recall the names of but two or three who were in public life during My Administration.  What did you say is the nature of this position that is offered you, William?”

“A Federal Judgeship, father.  I believe it is considered to be a somewhat flattering tender.  It is outside of politics and wire-pulling, you know.”

“No doubt, no doubt.  Few of the Pembertons have engaged in professional life for nearly a century.  None of them have ever held Federal positions.  They have been land-holders, slave-owners, and planters on a large scale.  One of two of the Derwents—­your mother’s family—­were in the law.  Have you decided to accept this appointment, William?”

“I am thinking it over,” said Billy, slowly, regarding the ash of his cigar.

“You have been a good son to me,” continued the Governor, stirring his pipe with the handle of a penholder.

“I’ve been your son all my life,” said Billy, darkly.

“I am often gratified,” piped the Governor, betraying a touch of complacency, “by being congratulated upon having a son with such sound and sterling qualities.  Especially in this, our native town, is your name linked with mine in the talk of our citizens.”