"What do you think of that, Mr. Blake?" asked the legislator, turning to Barry's uncle.
Hiram was a cautious man. He paused for some moments before replying. He spoke, finally, with great deliberation:
"I think it's a great mistake for any of us, either as individuals or as a community, to count our chickens before they are hatched."
Daniel Smithers had remained silent during the interchange of views. John Carlton glanced in his direction.
"What has the philosopher of Cleverly to say on the burning subject of the hour?"
The schoolmaster modestly disclaimed the title, saying that as far as wisdom was concerned, there was safety in numbers.
"But what do you think of the situation?" insisted the Congressman.
"Well," said the other, "I think Ford and Blake are extremists. I see no occasion for either joy or sorrow."
"Smithers is hedging," called a voice from the other side of the table.