"

"Don't see how you figger that," returned the Cap'n with complacency.
"I'm gettin' out just the right time. Time to leave is when they're
coaxin' you to stay. If I'd stayed in till they got to growlin' around
and wantin' to put me out I'd have to walk up and down in this town
like Gid Ward does now--meechin' as a scalt pup. That's why I'm takin'
so much personal satisfaction in gettin' out--they want to keep me
in."

"You ought to travel out around this town a little," returned his
friend, grimly. "The way they're talkin' now you'd think they was
goin' to have bonfires and a celebration when they get rid of you.
Hate to hurt your feelin's, but I'm only reportin' facts, and just
as they're talkin' it. Bein' a friend I can say it to your face."

The expression of bland pride faded out of Cap'n Sproul's face. For
a moment he seemed inclined to doubt Hiram's word in violent terms.
A few words did slip out.

The old showman interrupted him.

"Go out and sound the pulse for yourself. I never lied to you yet.
You've cuffed the people around pretty hard, you'll have to admit
that. Take a feller in politics that undertakes to boss too much,
and when the voters do turn on him they turn hard. They've done it
to you. They're glad you're goin' out. You couldn't be elected
hog-reeve in Smyrna to-day."

The Cap'n glared at him, voiceless for the moment.

"I know it hurts, but I'm tellin' you the truth," Hiram went on,
remorselessly. "If they don't stand up and give three cheers in
town-meetin' to-morrow when you hand in your resignation I'll be much
surprised."

"Who's been lyin' about me?" demanded the first selectman.

"It ain't that way at all! Seems like the town sort of woke up all
of a sudden and realized it didn't like your style of managin'. The
way you acted when the delegation came to you put on the finishin'
touch. Now, Aaron, you don't have to take my word for this. Prob'ly
it doesn't interest you--but you can trot around and find out for
yourself, if it does."

The first selectman, his eyes gleaming, the horn of gray hair that
he twisted in moments of mental stress standing straight up, rose
and reached for his hat.

"Mutiny on me, will they?" he growled. "We'll jest see about that!"

"Where are you goin', Aaron?" asked the placid Louada Murilla,
troubled by his ireful demeanor.

"I'm goin' to find out if this jeebasted town is goin' to kick me
out of office! They'll discover they haven't got any Kunn