"It's a happy sign," said Sylvia, with her usual resolute hopefulness.
But, despite themselves, a gloom settled upon all; the first report from the battle was ominous—such a loss continued would throw the election heavily in favor of the other man—and after her remark they were silent.
Mrs. Grayson looked into the room, but they told her there was nothing, and, whether she believed them or not, she closed the door again without further question.
"Here comes another boy," said Hobart, who was at the window, watching the crowd before the transparency.
"Now this is good news, sure," said "King" Plummer.
It was from another assembly district in New York City, and the party majority was cut down again, but this time the reduction was only 62 votes.
"That's better," said Mr. Heathcote.
"It will have to be a great deal better to elect our man," whispered Hobart to Harley.
Harley went to the window again, and looked down the street towards the transparency, where the opposition voters were cheering wildly at the first news so favorable to their side. Despite himself, Harley felt an unreasoning anger towards them. "You cheer about nothing," he said to himself. "This is only a few thousand votes among millions." Then he was ashamed of his feeling, and left the window.
"The Hub speaks!" exclaimed Mr. Dexter, as he tore open another envelope. Then he announced a vote from one of the wards of Boston.