know where the other twenty comes from, but she does, and that goes
in mill-town."

"She's got a clear head, Miss Cary has. And the reason I like to hear
her talk is I can hook on to what she says." Mr. Flournoy walked over
to the window and measured the distance to a given spot below with his
lips. "No beatin' round to keep you from knowin' what she means. What
kind of slush was that Bailly Ass Brickhouse tryin' to get off, anyhow?
Any of you catch on?

"Didn't listen. Heard his junk before. He says he traces himself back
to Adam in this town, but if he ever give it as much as a ginger-cake
it's been kept a secret. Here comes Miss Cary now."

Mr. Jernigan took off his hat, and on his finger twirled it round and
round. "My wife's been sick in bed ten weeks come Friday," he said,
presently, "and there ain't been a one of 'em Miss Cary hasn't been to
bring her some outdoor thing, as well as other kinds. Mollie says when
she comes in the room, spring things come with her."

He stood aside, then took the hand held out as she came toward him.

"Didn't we have a grand meeting?" she said, nodding lightly to first one
and then the other. "I believe it's going to be all right, and you can
tell your wives their children will go to a high-school yet. I'm so glad
all you men came. Thank you very much--"

"You didn't need us." The man standing next to the steps laughed. "The
work was done before to-night. You had your ducks in a row all right."