musement; beside it sneered the cruel face of Max; beyond that Mr.
Bland's countenance told a story of worry and impotent anger. And on Mr.
Magee's left sat the professor, bearded, spectacled, calm, seemingly
undisturbed by this queer flurry of events, beside the fair girl of the
station who trusted Magee at last. In the first few moments of silence
Mr. Magee compared her delicate features with the coarse knowing face of
the woman at the table's foot, and inwardly answered "No."

Without the genial complement of talk the dinner began. Mr. Peters
appeared with another variety of his canned soup, whereupon the silence
was broken by the gastronomic endeavors of Mr. Max and the mayor. Mr.
Magee was reflecting that conversation must be encouraged, when Cargan
suddenly spoke.

"I hope I ain't putting you folks out none," he remarked with obvious
sarcasm. "It ain't my habit to drop in unexpected like this. But
business--"

"We're delighted, I'm sure," said Mr. Magee politely.

"I suppose you want to know why I'm here," the mayor went on.
"Well--" he hesitated--"it's like this--"

"Dear Mr. Cargan," Magee broke in, "spare us, I pray. And spare
yourself. We have had explanations until we are weary. We have decided
to drop them altogether, and just to take it for granted that, in the
words of the song, we're here because we're here."

"All right," replied Cargan, evidently relieved. "That suits me. I'm
tired explaining, anyhow. There's a bunch of reformers rose up lately in
Reuton--maybe you've heard about 'em. A lovely bunch. A white necktie
and a half-portion of brains apiece. They say they're going to do for me
at the next election."

Mr. Max laughed harshly from the vicinity of his soup.

"They wrote the first joke book, them people," he said.

"Well," went on Cargan, "there ain't nobody so insignificant and
piffling that people won't listen to 'em when they attack a man in
public life. So I've had to reply to this comic opera bunch, and as I
say, I'm about wore out explaining. I've had to explain that I never
stole the town I used to live in in Indiana, and that I didn't stick up
my father with a knife. It gets monotonous. So I'm much obliged to you
for passing the explanations up. We won't bother you long, me and Lou. I
got a little business here, and then we'll mosey along. We'll clear out
about nine o'clock."

"No," protested Magee. "So soon? We must make it pleasant for you while
you stay. I always hate hosts