Shortly before eight came a mild surprise. Abe went
straight to the front where he nodded to Nicoll and,bending down, asked him a
question. The electors weregathering in the school yard.
Jim stayed at home forthree weeks to help Abe; and
Ruth raised no objection.
His smooth-shaven face, deeply lined, stern and
inexorable, waslike a red, weathered mask.
Even so, Nicoll replied, it was a matter of duty
not to takepeople away from essential industries.
Which meantthat eleven had withheld their votes. He
had never taken part in the discussions. Abe hadhad two bad years in succession; it
was unlikely that another wouldfollow. An hour or so later, he entered Spalding
School.
Sure, he said, sitting heavily down at the head of
the table. But he brooded; and in hisbroodings he sought help from his
brother-in-law and old manBlaine. If Abe did nothing, Wheeldon did a great deal. The
lady was young, pretty, bashful; smilingly she lookedabout from under a lowered
brow. Abe looked at him withoutcompleting his sentence.
Abe looked at him withoutcompleting his sentence.
Nicoll sat, looking out through the windows.
Abe was ready to sink his personal wish in the
general will. Nicoll had known Abe too long to believe that hetook his stand for
selfish reasons.
If there is any trouble about the expense, I have
the money.
Every person entitled to vote was known
tohim.
All smiled or frowned at
Wheeldonspresence.
Abe did not doubt the fact; thoughtears, when he
surprised her weeping, seemed facile to him. Abe thought the pose arranged
foreffect; and the sight came indeed like a calculated surprise. This policy would,
of course, involve anenormous expense when the war was over. Outside, there was a
confused noise of voices. He saw the fallacies in the argumentsadvanced. The doctors
small face seemed to contract. Even so, Nicoll replied, it was a matter of duty not
to takepeople away from essential industries.