Some even dared hope that Congressman Atkins might direct his fight in person.

But neither the Honorable nor Captain Cy was in the hall as yet.

Solon Eldridge was re-elected selectman and so also was Asaph Tidditt.

Nobody but Asaph seemed surprised at this result.

His speech of acceptance would undoubtedly have been a triumph of oratory had it not been interrupted by Uncle Bedny, who rose to emphatically protest against "settin' round and wastin' time" when the Bassett's Hollow road "had ruts deep enough to drown a cat in whenever there was a more'n average heavy dew." The Bassett's Hollow delegate being again temporarily squelched, Moderator Knowles announced that nominations for the vacant place on the school committee were in order.