“No. He’s of good family, but the Rivingtons are growing poorer every year. They try to live on their traditions, and traditions don’t pay grocers. I hope you’ll help him. He’s a very decent fellow.”
“I shall vote for him,” replied Peter, marvelling that he should be able to give a lift to the man who, in the Harvard days, had seemed so thoroughly the mate of Watts and the other rich fellows of the “gang.” Rivington being the only candidate who had two votes, he was promptly selected.
Thirty arduous minutes were spent in waiting for the arrival of the fifth member of the Commission, and in the election of chairman and secretary. A motion was then made to adjourn, on the ground that the Commission could not proceed without the secretary.
Peter promptly objected. He had been named secretary for this particular meeting, and offered to act until Rivington could be notified. “I think,” he said, “that we ought to lay out our programme.”
The labor agitator agreed with him, and, rising, delivered an extempore speech, declaring that “we must not delay. The leeches (here he looked at Mr. Pell) are sucking the life-blood of the people,” etc.
The chairman started to call him to order, but Peter put his hand on the chairman’s arm. “If you stop him,” he said in a low voice, “he’ll think we are against him, and he’ll say so outside.”
“But it’s such foolishness.”
“And so harmless! While he’s talking, look over this.” Peter produced an outline of action which he had drawn up, and having written it in duplicate, he passed one draft over to Mr. Pell.
They all let the speech go on, Peter, Mr. Pell and the chairman chatting over the plan, while the contractor went to sleep. The agitator tried to continue, but as the inattention became more and more evident, his speech became tamer and tamer. Finally he said, “That is my opinion,” and sat down.
The cessation of the oration waked up the contractor, and Peter’s outline was read aloud.