the old ones included, I see, Colonel," he ran over the names,
"Quimber, Tave, Elmer Wiggins, Emlie, Poggi and Caukins"--he laughed
outright; "that's a good firm, Colonel," he said slyly, and the Colonel
smiled his appreciation of the gentle insinuation--"the manager at the
sheds, and the new boss of the Upper Quarry?" He looked inquiringly at
the Colonel on reading the last name.

"That's all right, Buzzby; he's due here next Saturday, the festal day;
and I want to give some substantial expression to him, as a stranger and
neighbor, of Flamsted's hospitality."

Augustus nodded approval, and continued: "And me! Thank you kindly,
Colonel, but you'll have to excuse me this time. I want everything to go
right on this special occasion. I'll join you with a pipe afterwards."

"As you please, Buzzby, only make it a cigar; and consider yourself
included in the spirit if not in the flesh. Nine sharp."

At a quarter of nine, just as Augustus finished putting the last touch
to an already perfect table, the Colonel made his appearance at The
Greenbush, a pasteboard box containing a dozen boutonnieres under his
arm. He laid one on the table cloth by each plate, and stood back to
enjoy the effect. He rubbed his hands softly in appreciation of the
"color scheme" as he termed it--a phrase that puzzled Augustus. He saw
no "scheme" and very little "color" in the dark-wainscoted room, except
the cheerful fire on the hearth and some heavy red half-curtains at the
windows to shut out the cold and dark of this March night. The walls
were white; the grill of dark wood, and the floor painted dark brown.
But the red carnations on the snow-white damask did somehow "touch the
whole thing up," as he confided later to his brother.

The Colonel's welcome to his companions was none the less cordial
because he repressed his usual flow of eloquence till "the cloth should
be removed." He purposed then to spring a surprise, oratorical and
otherwise, on those assembled.

After the various toasts,--all given and drunk in sweet cider made for
the occasion from Northern Spies, the Colonel being prohibitive for
example's sake,--the good wishes for many prospective birthdays and
prosperous years, the Colonel filled his glass to the brim and, holding
it in his left hand, literally rose to the occasion.

"Gentlemen," he began in full chest tones, "some fourteen years ago,
five of us now present were wont to discuss in the old office of this
hospitable h