very clever," assented Darius; "there's Hester, mother
isn't with _her_; you don't suppose mother would stay away, this
afternoon?"

"Never; this is the election afternoon."

"Myrtie said mother was very much admired and sought after, lots of
invitations; maybe she has gone out to some tea--"

"They wouldn't have anything this afternoon; don't you see how keyed up
they all are?"

"I thought I was monstrous clever planning all this," pursued Darius,
with a knitted brow; "your mother forgot this was our anniversary, but I
didn't; I have her present in my pocket; and the dinner ordered; and I
was expecting to surprise her; but if she isn't here--she couldn't have
gone _home_?"

"Of course not--there she is, don't you see her? looking fresh as
paint!"

A lady had risen, her voice, mellow and clear, dove through the sonorous
buzz of the hall.

"Why it's _mother_!" cried Darius, "and if she isn't taking an appeal
from the chair; mother has her nerve with her, to-day."

Darrie grinned; but as he watched his father's face kindle, his own
changed; he laid his hand on his father's, nodding, softly: "I tell you,
mother's _great_," said he.

"That little dark-eyed lady is speaking on mother's side"--Darius was
leaning forward with excited interest--"isn't she a pretty creature,
she's little--but, oh my! How clearly she puts it; these southerners
have a natural gift of oratory. Don't think much of that woman who's
trying to call mother down!"

He was as eager as a boy, the man whose cool head and hard sense had won
him a great fortune; his eyes glistened, the color crept into his cheek;
and he drew a long sigh when the appeal was withdrawn. "Very pretty,
Darrie," he said, "appeal withdrawn, but they have got in their work on
the voters; chairman had to decide against her own friends, and did it
like a Roman soldier. The extraordinary thing to me, Darrie, is how well
they are all keeping their temper. Darrie, didn't you think mother's
voice was good when she spoke; how'd she learn to speak so well?"

"Oh, she took lessons," returned Darrie, easily; "Hester got her into
them; Hester and mother are great pals."

"I know; Hester's a remarkable girl, Darrie; she has always appreciated
your mother. Begun again, have they? Started something else while the
ballots are counted. Like a continuous show, isn't it?"

He listened with a slackened zest while the questions of reorganization
and details of the duties of chairmen pa