“First elects Rand and Derrick,” announced Arthur Thompson, entering the room. “Isn’t it time to start things here, fellows?”
“It’s only two minutes of three,” objected Hiltz, who was doing a little final electioneering over by the windows.
“Then your watch is slow,” retorted Arthur. “First’s closed her polls and counted. What time have you got, Lowd?”
“Three-four.”
“Then let’s get busy. Is Chambers here?”
“Here and waiting,” answered Joe. “Got your slips ready?”
“They’re on the desk there, aren’t they? They were there when I came in.”
“I’ve got them. Gentlemen, the polls are open. Please write the names of two candidates and your own name on the slips, fold, and then hand them to me.”
The fellows crowded up for the slips of blank paper and then retired to the seats to prepare their ballots. Chambers took his seat at the desk and laid the roster of voters’ names open in front of him. As usual pencils and pens were scarce and had to be handed around from one to another. Arthur sought Dan where the latter was filling out his ballot on a window ledge.
“Are all your fellows here, Dan?” he whispered.