Some people, of course, could hardly pick any president of the United States out of a crowd of two--particularly any so far removed from the turn of the 19th century. Those people are even less aware of young lawyers from the American midwest.

That makes those people no less concerned at the idea of others not eating.

And that, really, is what prompts Wellard toward the edge of standing close to the man, with the soft fretful air of a person not used to speaking to his elders unless spoken to--and almost as much with the air of someone used to nonetheless reminding his elders that they haven't eaten since yesterday.

"--all right, sir?"