A vast audience had gathered and were waiting.

Nobody seemed ready to speak.
Somebody started the cry, "Hoar! Hoar!" My father and brother were known as leaders in the Free Soil Party, and that I suppose made somebody call on me.

I got up in my place in the middle of the hall in great confusion.

There were shouts of "platform," "platform." I made my way to the platform, hoping only to make my excuses and get off without being detected.

But the people were disposed to be good-natured, and liked what I said.