"Where is she? Produce her, or we shall challenge the election!" This last threat came from the gallery, and was known to have been uttered in a faculty voice. Now Jane must really be produced.
"Quick! Get the boxes. They are all in," gasped the panting Judith. "Jump into the side room and get counting before the others can line up, and we will go for Jane. We will not come back without her."
"Fraud! Fraud! Stuffed boxes! Unparliamentary! Against the rules! Where's your candidate?" came the repeated and reiterated shouts until even the lustiest among them cracked her voice and fell back on groans.
"They can't do it," insisted a cry for the opposition.
"Yes, we can. We will have our candidate here on time to accept," came back the equally determined rejoinder.
"Clear the floor. Balloting is over for the count. Polls closed! Time's up, clear the floor for counting!" came the well-known official voice from the gallery.
"Shame! Outrage! Fraud!" muttered the vanquished horde, but Judith and Grazia were scouring for Jane.
Without the presence of the candidate she could not be legally elected.
But where on earth was the invisible and elusive Jane!