e things as she was.

These thoughts so filled his mind that he heard very little of Judge
Blodgett's dialect story. Professor Blatherwick began a German song
full of trilled r's, achs and hochs; but became offended at
Bulliwinkle's strident "How-de-do!" at the end of the first stanza, and
quit. Whereupon Bulliwinkle, for the first time sensing the fact that
something was wrong, in the goodness of his heart began singing, _Dot's
How Poor Yacob Found It Oudt_, in seeming compliment to the nationality
of the professor; but, owing to the subtlety of the reasoning, the
professor failed to take it as such. He took mortal umbrage instead,
and hurled his card down on the table with a bang, at which Bulliwinkle
slipped under the mahogany,

"Gently as a skylark settles down
Upon the clustered treasures of her nest."

Meantime, Mr. Simpson had called on Mr. Knaggs to do a dance, as he
alleged himself unable to do anything else. Mr. Knaggs responded, and
did pretty well considering the lateness of the hour, but insisted that
he ought to have a better surface than the carpet. Amidon dimly
resented as an impropriety Mr. Knaggs' brilliant proof of the
correctness of his position regarding the carpet, by a tumultuously
successful clog-dance on the table.

By this time, it being past the hour for retiring, according to the
habit of most, several of the guests were asleep, and most of the rest
were indulging in monologues under the impression that they were
conversing with their neighbors. Edgington was on his feet proposing a
series of interrogatories in strictly legal form requiring Amidon to
say how he got the support of Barney Conlon, what there was in his
labor record to win the support of Sheehan and Zalinsky, and various
other matters. At Alvord's request, Judge Blodgett was moving that
these be "struck out," while Slater insisted that it ought to be a
"base on balls." It was a new experience for Amidon. He was surprised
to find a something in it which he enjoyed. The very hubbub was
interesting.

No wonder, such being the conditions, that the A. D. T. boy rapped long
and was not heard. No wonder that the ultimate opening of the door was
unnoted by those present, or that no one observed the tall man with
whisker extensions to a mustache naturally too large, who came in after
the messenger. Observed or not, however, he entered and walked heavily
down the banqueting-hall.

"Brassfield, a summons for you,"