He paused for breath just as Mr. Spry returned.
"William's going to bring the beer to the committee in five minutes," said he.
"You've missed some long words, postmaster," remarked Mr. Taverner. "The chairman here have got a great thought for the procession. 'Twill be better than the riders,[[1]] if it can be done."
[[1]] The Riders, a circus.
"Allegorical, emblematical, et hoc genus omne," declared Mr. Churchward, and mopped his forehead.
"Trust schoolmaster to make a regular, valiant revel of it," said Mr. Huggins. "'Twill be very near as good as Wombwell's beast show, if the committee only stands by Mr. Churchward to a man."
"Have you thought who the great characters should be?" asked Henry Norseman doubtfully.
"I may have done so, churchwarden," answered the chairman; "but that's for us in committee. We must argue upon it. I invite you all to give your ideas; and what poor knowledge of history I may possess is at your service."
"St. George for one," said Jarratt Weekes; and everybody looked at Mr. Churchward.
He considered and nodded his head with gravity. The propriety of the idea was obvious; but Adam disliked the younger Weekes and grudged him credit.