Weekes opened the proceedings while the men were getting out of their coats.
"Is Squire Calmady coming?" he asked.
"I regret to say that he is not," answered the schoolmaster. "I approached him in propriâ personâ by letter, and he replied that the meeting would be very safe in our hands. I hope you all think the same. Anyhow, we have paid him the compliment; we can do no more."
"There's no gentlefolks on the committee, then?"
Mr. Taverner, who was a stout radical, and saturated with class prejudice, resented this suggestion.
"Gentle or not gentle, Jarratt Weekes, we are all pretty solid men, and know how to behave, I believe."
"I vote Mr. Churchward into the chair, neighbours," said the postmaster. "Then we shall have wisdom over the committee."
Adam bridled, but held up his hand in a deprecating manner.
"I want no power—nothing of the sort. I'm only your servant in this matter. But since somebody must—in fact, I leave myself in your hands."
"'Tis your own house, so you'd better take the lead, and I'll second the motion," declared John Prout.