“Mr. Hamlin,” Grace asked timidly, “would you mind telling me what are the duties of the Secretary of State?  Washington is like a new, strange world to us.  I have learned the titles of the different members of the President’s Cabinet, but I have not the faintest idea what they do.  Mollie and I looked over the cards of the guests who came to your reception.  Some of the cards just read:  ‘The Speaker,’ ’The Chief of Staff,’ ‘L’Ambassadeur de France,’ without any personal names at all.”

Mr. Hamlin seemed pleased.  The stern, half-embarrassed expression, that he usually wore before the girls relaxed a little at Grace’s eager questioning.

“I am glad, Miss Carter, to find you take an interest in Washington affairs,” he answered.  “It is most unusual in a young girl.  I wish Harriet cared more about them, but she seems devoted only to society.”  Mr. Hamlin sighed under his breath.  “Yes; it is the custom for the officials in Washington to put only the titles of their office on their visiting cards.  You are sure you wish to know the duties of the Secretary of State?  I don’t want to bore you, my child.”

Grace nodded her head eagerly.

“Well, let me see if I can make it plain to you.  The Secretary of State has charge of all the correspondence between the foreign countries and their representatives in the United States,” Mr. Hamlin continued.  “Do you understand?”

“I think I do,” Grace answered hesitatingly, while Bab leaned over from the next seat to see if she could understand what Mr. Hamlin was explaining.

“The Secretary of State also receives all kinds of information from the consuls and diplomatic officers, who represent the United States abroad,” Mr. Hamlin went on.  “Sometimes this information is very important and very secret.  It might bring on serious trouble, perhaps start a war with another country, if some of these secrets were discovered.  The Secretary of State has other duties; he keeps the Great Seal of the United States.  But my chief business as Assistant Secretary is just to look after the important private correspondence with all the other countries.”

“Father,” exclaimed Harriet, “why are you boring the girls to death with so much information?  They don’t understand what you mean.  I have been living in Washington for four years, and I have not half an idea of what your duties are.  But thank goodness, we have arrived at the White House at last!”

Their motor car had finally drawn up before the entrance to the Executive Mansion at the extremity of the eastern wing.  The house was a blaze of lights; the Marine Band was playing a national air.

Harriet, who was familiar with all the rules that govern the President’s receptions, quickly marshaled her guests into the lobby, where they had to take off their coats and hats.

Bab was so overcome at the enormous number of people about her, that she did not see Mollie remove her cape.