The first feeling was a sort of faint compassion that one with such small physical resources should have to bear the weighty responsibilities resting upon him.

Major Bell had often met him, and introduced me.

The General was gratified that I had called, and waited for the declaration of my business.

He had been informed of my occupation; the fact that I had recently been in Washington and expected soon to be there again; was from Ohio, the President's state, a friend of his, and had written a book on Cuba, a task which gave me, as I had visited the Island of Cuba during the war, an acquaintance with the Spanish system of governing colonies.
The interpreter was a man shorter than the General, but not quite so slight.

His hair was intensely black and he wore glasses.