Mr. Atkins shook the captain's hand and then, turning toward the people,
held up his own for silence. To all outward appearance, he was still the
great Heman, our district idol, philanthropist, and leader. His silk hat
glistened as of old, his chest swelled in the old manner, his whiskers
were just as dignified and awe-inspiring. For an instant, as he met
the captain's eye, his own faltered and fell, and there was a pleading
expression in his face, the lines of which had deepened just a little.
But only for an instant; then he began to speak.

"Cyrus," he said, "it is my pleasant duty, on behalf of your neighbors
and friends here assembled, to welcome you to your--er--ancestral home
after your trying illness. I do it heartily, sincerely, gladly. And
it is the more pleasing to me to perform this duty, because, as I have
explained publicly to my fellow-townspeople, all disagreement between us
is ended. I was wrong--again I publicly admit it. A scheming blackleg,
posing in the guise of a loving father, imposed upon me. I am sorry for
the trouble I have caused you. Of you and of the little girl with you I
ask pardon--I entreat forgiveness."

He paused. Captain Cy, the shadow of a smile at the corner of his mouth,
nodded, and said briefly:

"All right, Heman. I forgive you." Few heard him: the majority were
applauding the congressman. Sylvanus Cahoon, whispering in the ear
of "Uncle Bedny," expressed as his opinion that "that was about
as magnaminious a thing as ever I heard said. Yes, sir!
mag-na-min-ious--that's what _I_ call it."

"But," continued the great Atkins, "I have said all this to you before.
What I have to say now--what I left my duties in Washington expressly to
come here and say--is that Bayport thanks you, _I_ thank you, for your
tremendous assistance in obtaining the appropriation which is to make
our harbor a busy port where our gallant fishing fleet may ride at
anchor and unload its catch, instead of transferring it in dories as
heretofore. Friends, I have already told you how this man"--laying
a hand on the captain's shoulder--"came to the Capital and used his
influence among his acquaintances in high places, with the result that
the thirty thousand dollars, which I had despaired of getting, was added
to the bill. I had the pleasure of voting for that bill. It passed. I am
proud of that vote."

Tremendous applause. Then some one called for three cheers for Mr.
Atkins. They were given. But the recipi