So he said “Good afternoon,” and, accompanied by his father, took his departure.

“Sit down, Hiram,” said Quincy, “I want to have a talk with you.  Have you settled up that little matter with Mandy?”

“No,” said Hiram, “not yet; I’ve ben tryin’ to muster up courage, but I haven’t ben able to up to the present moment.”

“I should think,” remarked Quincy, “that a man who had carried his captain off the field with a shower of bullets raining about him, or who had pushed forward with his country’s flag in the face of a similar storm of bullets, ought not to be afraid to ask a young girl to marry him.”

“Waal, do yer know,” said Hiram, “I’m more afraid o’ Mandy than I would be of the whole army.”

“Well,” said Quincy, “I don’t see any other way for you except to walk up like a man and meet your fate.  Of course if I could do it for you I’d be willing to oblige you.”

“No, thank yer,” said Hiram, “I kinder reckon thet little matter had better be settled between the two principals in the case without callin’ in a lawyer.”

Quincy leaned over and whispered something to him.

“By crickey!” said Hiram, “what put thet idea inter yer head?”

“Oh,” said Quincy, “since I’ve had to spend so much time plotting against my enemies, I’ve got into the habit of thinking out little surprises for my friends.”

“Waal, I swan!” cried Hiram, “that would be the biggest thing ever happened in Mason’s Corner.  Well, I rather think I shall be able to tend to that matter now, at once.  One, two, three,” said Hiram, “just think of it; well, that’s the biggest lark that I’ve ever ben connected with; beats buying the grocery store all holler.”

“Well,” continued Quincy, “you three gentlemen understand it now, and if matters can be arranged I will do my part, and I promise you all a grand send-off; but not a word of it must be breathed to outside parties, remember.  It won’t amount to anything unless its’ a big surprise.”

“All right,” said Hiram, “I kinder reckon Sawyer’s surprise party will be a bigger one than Strout’s was.”

“Oh,” continued Hiram, “I ’most forgot.  Mandy was up ter see her mother abeout thet room for thet man that’s comin’ down from Boston Monday night, and Mis’ Hawkins says the price of the room is three dollars per week and the board fifty cents a day.  Mandy paid for the room for a week, and Mis’ Hawkins says after she takes out what the board comes to she’ll give the balance back ter Mandy.”

“That’s all right,” said Quincy, “I’ve heard from the man in Boston, and he’ll surely occupy the room next Monday night.  Mandy can tell her mother to have it all ready.”

Next morning about ten o’clock, Abbott Smith drove over from Eastborough Centre, accompanied by his father and Wallace Stackpole.  Quincy took his place beside Mr. Stackpole on the rear seat of the carryall, and Abbott drove off as though he intended to return to Eastborough Centre, but when he reached the crossroad he went through, then turning back towards Mason’s Corner, drove on until he reached Deacon Mason’s barn, following the same plan that Ezekiel had on the night of the surprise party.