Lo! Summary

A day in the life of an American president, not long after the Revolutionary War, includes more news of Indian attacks on settlers and their property, a constitutional land grant issue, and the constant irritation of having "uncivilized" Indians living and working in the White House as servants. The Indians won't wear pantaloons which the president deems proper—especially on the eve of a visit from a French delegation—and they leave gnawed-on bones on the plush carpet to stumble over. The story opens with the president trying to sneak out of the building without confronting the Indian servants or their raggedy appearance, to meet his secretary for breakfast where he gets more news of troubles. "Damn, damn, damn!" the president chants as he walks around the room. Meanwhile, a pair of Indians squat in the hallway corridor, a gamecock in...