University of Virginia Library

Small Group

There was a small group of
people gathered in front of the
Albemarle Hotel, where the agents
had been staying, to see the men
off and to wish them well. One
elderly woman was weeping unashamedly
as the agents came out
the front door of the hotel.

One of the agents, Mr. Cecil
Speed, stopped and asked the
woman what the matter was. She
replied "I don't think I'll be
able to sleep at nights with you
men gone."

The agent handed her his handkerchief,
saying, "Don't worry
ma'am, we'll be back when things
get hot again. But I think that it
will be a long time before the
drug problem rears its ugly head
around here again."