There is no one
better--"
"Impossible!" exclaimed the banker, in a strange voice. "_I_? No,
no!"
"And why not? Have you never had political aspirations?"
"Of course. All men have dreams. I was Secretary of Finance under
Amador, but the Garavels have never really been public men.
Politics have been a curse to our house. My grandfather--"
"I know," broke in Mrs. Cortlandt. "But times have changed. Panama
has seen her last revolution, and she needs a business man at her
head. Presidents are not made now by rifle and sword, and the man
with the machete must give way to the man with a capacity for
handling big affairs. There will be no more swineherd Presidents
like your Guatemalan countryman Corera, nor tyrants like Zelaya.
Panama is a healthy country, with no national debt; she is
growing, developing. She holds the gateway to the Western World,
and her finances must be administered wisely. You, Mr. Garavel,
are one of the few who are clear-headed enough to see that her
destiny is linked with ours, and there is no one who can direct
her so well as you."
"It is impossible!" repeated Garavel, his agitation growing more
pronounced. "General Alfarez is my friend. His son will be my
son."
"Ramon! Is Ramon engaged to your daughter?"
"Yes," exclaimed the banker, shortly.
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