Quincy gave him Strout’s war record that he had obtained from the Adjutant-General’s office, and it was read over and compared with that of Wallace Stackpole, which was also in ’Bias Smith’s possession.  Mr. Stackpole had obtained from the town clerk a statement of taxes due and collected for the past twenty years, and this was also delivered to Mr. Smith.  Quincy confided to Mr. Smith several matters that he wished attended to in town meeting, and the latter agreed to present them, as requested.

It was finally settled that ’Bias Smith and Mr. Stackpole should come over to Mason’s Corner the following Saturday and see if Deacon Mason would agree to act as moderator at the annual town meeting on the following Monday, the warrants for same having already been posted.

When Quincy reached home he found Hiram waiting for him.  They went in to Jacob’s Parlor and took their accustomed seats.

“Any news?” asked Quincy.

“Not a word,” said Hiram, “neither Strout or Abner have been seen on the street sence the sale wuz over, but Strout has got hold of it in some way that Huldy’s engaged to ’Zeke Pettengill, and it’s all over town.”

At that moment Ezekiel opened the door and stepped into the shed.  There was a roguish twinkle in his eye and a smile about his lips as he advanced towards Quincy.

“Waal, the cat’s out o’ the bag,” said he to Quincy.

“Yes, Hiram was just telling me that Strout got hold of it in some way.”

“Yaas,” said Ezekiel, “he got hold of it in the most direct way that he possibly could.”

“How’s that,” asked Quincy, “did Miss Mason tell him?”

“Yaas,” said Ezekiel, “he seemed to want a satisfactory reason why she couldn’t marry him, and it sorter seemed to her that the best reason that she could give him was that she was engaged to marry me.”

Hiram nearly lost his seat on the chopping block while expressing his delight, and on Quincy’s face there was a look of quiet satisfaction that indicated that he was quite well satisfied with the present condition of affairs.

“By the way, Hiram,” said Quincy, “I believe you told me once that Mrs. Hawkins, who keeps the house where the Professor boards, is Mandy Skinner’s mother.”

“Yaas,” said Hiram, “Mandy’s father died and her mother married Jonas Hawkins.  He wasn’t much account afore he was married, but I understand that he has turned out to be a rale handy man ‘round the boardin’ house.  Mrs. Hawkins’s a mighty smart woman, and she knew just what kind of a man she wanted.”

“Well,” said Quincy, “I want you to tell Mandy to see her mother as soon as she can, and engage the best room that she has left in the house for a gentleman that I expect down here from Boston next Monday night.  Here’s ten dollars, and have Mandy tell her that this is her week’s pay in advance for room and board, counting from to-day.”

“Waal, I don’t believe she’ll take it,” said Hiram; “she’s a mighty smart woman and mighty clus in money matters, but she’s no skin, and I don’t believe she’ll take ten dollars for one week’s board and room.”