ught of caste, and to these were soon to be added more farmers' sons
and daughters and the only son of a millionaire.

"Just give them a call," said Strout, turning to Hiram, and the latter
gave a blast on his bugle, which sent fingers to the ears of his
listeners. The handle of the door turned and opened and Huldy entered,
her mother leaning upon her arm.

They were greeted by hand clapping and cries of "Good evening" from the
party, and all eyes were fixed upon Strout, who stood as if petrified
and gazed at the three figures that came through the open door and stood
behind Huldy and her mother. Hamlet following the fleeting apparition on
the battlements of the castle at Elsinore, Macbeth viewing Banquo at his
feast, or Richard the Third gazing on the ghostly panorama of the
murdered kings and princes, could not have felt weaker at heart than did
Professor Strout when he saw the new-comers and realized that they were
there by his express invitation.

The members of the surprise party thought Strout had forgotten his
speech, and cries of "Speech!" "Speech!" "Give us the speech!" fell upon
his ear, but no words fell from his lips. It was a cruel blow, but no
crueler than the unfounded stories that he had started and circulated
about the town for the past three months. Those who had thought it was
mean not to invite the Pettengills and Mr. Sawyer enjoyed his
discomfiture and were the loudest in calling for a speech.

The situation became somewhat strained, and Huldy looked up to Quincy
with an expression that seemed to say, How are we going to get out of
this?

Quite a number of the party saw this look and immediately began calling
out, "Mr. Sawyer, give us a speech!" "A speech from Mr. Sawyer!"

Huldy smiled and nodded to Quincy, and then there were loud cries of
"Speech! Speech!" and clapping of hands.

Abner Stiles got up and gave his chair to Professor Strout, who sank
into it, saying as he did so, "I guess it was the heat."

Quincy stepped forward and bowing to Huldy and then to Mrs. Mason,
addressed the party in a low but clearly distinct voice.

"Authorized by these ladies to speak for them, I desire to return
sincere thanks for this manifestation of your regard for them. Your
visit was entirely unexpected by Miss Mason and a great surprise to her.
But it is a most pleasant surprise, and she desires me to thank you
again and again for your kind thoughts and your good company this
evening. She and her moth