“Well, boys, we whipped the Scarlet Grays,” said Chauncy, wiping his face. “Fact was I had from the very outset a strong desire to whip them, and we succeeded.”
Chauncy’s assertion about his “strong desire” would not bear investigation.
It was a fact, however, that Chauncy’s crew had whipped the Scarlet Grays. Like poppies that have been picked and then left out in a frost, the “S. G.’s” pulled listlessly to the landing–place.
The crowd slowly dribbled away, the people making their comments as they retired.
“There’s a chance for a Public Library gone,” moaned Miss P. Green.
“Yes, yes,” sympathetically wailed Aunt Lydia and Mrs. Wherren.
“There, Jabez,” said his wife, “I hope another time you won’t cheer fur the en’my so.”
“I didn’t cheer ’em, Huldy,” replied Jabez in surprise.
“You made sympathizin’ remarks, though.”
“Yes, yes,” said Aunt Lydia, and Miss P. Green.