The leeches (here he looked at Mr.Pell) are sucking the life-blood of the people," etc.
The chairman started to call him to order, but Peter put his hand on the chairman's arm.

"If you stop him," he said in a low voice, "he'll think we are against him, and he'll say so outside." "But it's such foolishness." "And so harmless! While he's talking, look over this." Peter produced an outline of action which he had drawn up, and having written it in duplicate, he passed one draft over to Mr.Pell.
They all let the speech go on, Peter, Mr.Pell and the chairman chatting over the plan, while the contractor went to sleep.

The agitator tried to continue, but as the inattention became more and more evident, his speech became tamer and tamer.

Finally he said, "That is my opinion," and sat down.
The cessation of the oration waked up the contractor, and Peter's outline was read aloud.
"I don't move its adoption," said Peter.

"I merely submit it as a basis." Not one of the members had come prepared with knowledge of how to go to work, except the chairman, who had served on other commissions.