This was the situation when the Selectmen came: the stove behaving in various ways, Willy Flint considering what he was about to do, Mr. Pollock wondering what that was, and Angelica reciting geography.
There was a loud knock at the entry-door, and Mr. Pollock and the entire school, with the exception of Willy Flint and Angelica, left whatever they were doing, and concentrated their minds on the door. Willy Flint leaned swiftly forward and slipped something through the damper of the stove. Angelica cast a glance after Mr. Pollock, closed her eyes, and recited in a loud voice:
"Abyssinia, eastern Africa, three kingdoms—Shoa, Tigre, and Amhara, elevated table-land, of which majority of people—m-m-m-m—pastoral pursuits."
Willy Flint again leaned forward and slipped something through the damper.
"Ah!" said Mr. Pollock, at the door. "Come in." And the violent Selectmen entered, namely, Deacon Crockett, Harvey Cummings, and Mr. Atherton Bell—who had been to the Legislature. Again Willy Flint leaned forward.
"Exports, skins," shouted Angelica, "ivory, gums—"
"Angelica," said Mr. Pollock, sternly—"Angelica Flint, that will do." And Angelica, with an eye on Willy's movements, thought that very likely it might.
"We've come to see about that stove," said the fluent Mr. Atherton Bell. "Now I don't see anything the matter with the stove. Do you, Deacon? It appears to me to have an excellent draught."
Deacon Crockett nodded gloomily.
"Furs rate," said Mr. Cummings.