"
The movement in the crowd gave Miss Merrivale an excuse for changing
her position; and she improved the opportunity to turn away from the
widow until the latter could see little except her back. Mrs. Sampson
flushed angrily, but she covered her discomfiture, as well as she was
able, by turning her attention to the statue, and descanting upon its
beauties to Greenfield.
"How exquisitely dignified the drapery is," she remarked, "and so
beautifully modest."
"Big thing, ain't it," said the strident voice of Irons, close to her
ear. "I think we've hit something good this time. I'm really obliged to
you, Greenfield, for putting me up to vote for Stanton. I like a statue
with some meaning to it. Now just look at the significance of all those
emblems of American progress."
"Yes, it is very fine," admitted Greenfield, with a helpless air. "I'll
work it into a speech, sometime," he added, his face brightening with
the relief of having an idea; "there's the ballot-box at the bottom as
a foundation, and you work up through all the industries till you get
to the capitol, the centre of government, at the top."
"Hear! hear!" exclaimed the widow, clapping her hands very softly and
prettily; "really you must speak at the unveiling of the statue."
"Capital idea," exclaimed Irons, to whose gratitude for Greenfield's
aid in the railroad matter was added the politic forecast that he might
some time need his help again; "there's Hubbard over there now; I'll go
and ask him whether our committee chooses the orator.
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