Page 168 (1/2)

"General Metcalf is waiting," Fawcett said to the President

The President pushed a third pillow behind his back and struggled to a sitting position, an to spin

Metcalf was ushered in, resplendent in a uniforht rows of colorful ribbons There was a briskness about the general that was not present at their last

The President looked at hian to cough uncontrollably

Metcalf caet you, sir?" he asked solicitously

The President shook his head and waved him away "I'll survive," he said at last "What's the situation, Clayton?"

The President never called his joint Chiefs by rank, preferring to lower the them with their Christian names

Metcalf shifted in his chair uncomfortably "The streets are quiet at the mo One soldier was killed and two Marines wounded"

"Were the guilty parties apprehended?"

"Yes, sir," Metcalf answered

"A couple of criminal radicals, no doubt"

Metcalf stared at his feet "Not exactly One was the son of Congressman Jacob Whitman of South Dakota and the other the son of Postmaster General Kenneth Potter Both were under seventeen years of age"

The President's face looked stricken for an instant and then it quickly hardened "Are your troops deployed at Lisner Auditorium?"

"One corounds around the building"

"Hardly seeh inia Guard units combined will outnumber them five to one"