The Turnstile by A.E.W. Mason

The session passed, and Devenish's land bill, as Rames had foretold, was postponed. It figured again in the Address at the beginning of the following year, but as late as March no definite date had been assigned for its introduction. On a Saturday morning of this month Cynthia and her husband were breakfasting in the dining-room of the white house, when the morning's letters were brought in by the butler. Harry Rames tossed one or two aside.

"Circulars, pamphlets," he said. He opened some of the others, taking them from the top of the pile. "Here's one from the Chamber of Commerce -- railway rates. I'll answer that this morning. Here's another -- the committee of a school wants a grant from the treasury. Here's a third -- " and as he was beginning to tear open the envelope, his voice suddenly stopped.