'clock before the
dinner party broke up, and during that time Quincy had heard from one or
another of the party a full account of the doings at the town meeting.

It is needless to say that he was satisfied with the results, but he
said nothing to indicate that fact in the presence of the Board of
Selectmen. They were the first to leave, and then there was an
opportunity for mutual congratulations by the remaining members of the
party. To these four should be added Mr. Parsons, the proprietor, upon
whose face rested a broad smile when he presented his bill for the day's
expenses, and the sum was paid by Quincy.

"We had a very pleasant time," remarked Mr. Parsons to Mr. Sawyer as he
bade him good evening.

"I am delighted to hear it," said Quincy, "and I regret very much that
my business in the city prevented my being here to enjoy it."

On the way home with Ezekiel they went over the events of the day again
together, and Ezekiel told him many little points, that for obvious
reasons had been omitted at the dinner party.

Quincy was driven directly to Mrs. Hawkins's boarding house, for he had
explained his programme to Ezekiel. He turned up his coat collar and
pulled his hat down over his eyes, as he was admitted; and, although
Mrs. Hawkins's eyes were naturally sharp, she did not recognize the late
comer, who proceeded upstairs to his room, which Mrs. Hawkins informed
him was right opposite the head of the stairs, and there was a light
burning in the room and a good warm fire, and if he needed anything, if
he would just call to her inside of the next ten minutes, she would get
it for him.

Quincy said nothing, but went into his room and shut the door, and there
we will leave him.

As Strout and Abner drove back to Mason's Corner, after the adjournment
of the town meeting, nothing was said for the first mile of the trip.

Then Abner turned to him and remarked, "You ought ter be well satisfied
with to-day's perceedin's."

"How do you make that out?" growled Strout.

"Waal, I think the events proved," said Abner, "that you wuz the most
pop'lar man in ther town."

"How do you make that out?" again growled Strout.

"Why," said Abner, "you wuz nominated for every office in the gift o'
ther town, and that's more'n any other feller could say."

"If you don't shut up," said Strout, "I'll nominate you for town idyut,
and there won't be any use of any one runnin' agin yer!"

Abner took his reproof meekly. He alway