But Bailey’s eyes, having lost the twinkle they had had when he asked the pleasure of the convention, now sought the type-written program lying on the desk before him, that he might be sure of Rankin’s pleasure. And then, his eyes traveling from one to another of the many flushed faces that opened upon him, their cold gleam unerringly rested upon James of the Polk County delegation, and Bailey said:
“The gentleman—from Polk.”
“Mr. Chairman,” said James, hurriedly, “I move that a committee on credentials of seven members, one from each county, be selected.”
“How shall—the committee—be appointed?” inquired the chair. Rankin glared rebukingly at James, and arose to go to him. He detected the chance of blunder whereby all his plans might go wrong.
“By the chair,” he growled at James.
“By the chair,” James repeated.
“Second the motion!” all the Garwood men yelled.
Randolph was on his feet.
“Mr. Chairman!” he cried, “I move you, sir, as a substitute—”
Randolph was ever parliamentary, but Bailey rapped him to order with the gager’s mallet as if he had been a mere disturbing child, and said: