among his countrymen and furthermore, Pontes' various states of mind were of no importance because Pontes …
"Well, Pontes was just Pontes!"
The future employe proceeded to plan a careful campaign. In the first place it was necessary to approach the Major, a reserved man and not fond of jests; to ingratiate himself into his home life, study his whims and pet habits until he could discover in what part of his body lay the weak spot.
He began to frequent the receiver's office assiduously, under various pretexts, sometimes for stamps, sometimes for information regarding taxes; everything was an excuse for sly and clever prattle meant to undermine the old man's severity.
He would also go on other people's business for the paying of excise taxes, taking out per-mits and other little matters. He became of great use to the friends who had business with the exchequer.
The Major was surprised at such assiduity and said so, but Pontes evaded the question, turning it into a joke, and persevered in a well calculated conclusion to let time round off the sharp corners of the sick man.
Within two months Bentes bad become used to that "chipmunk" as he called him, who on the whole seemed a good sort of fellow, sincere, eager to be of use and above all, harmless. From asking him a favor on a very busy day, then another and still a third, and finally considering him as a sort of adjunct to the department, was only a step.
