He quietly proceeded to draw up the necessary notice.  Nute evidently expected that the Cap’n would promptly understand the meaning of the proposed meeting and would burst into violent speech.  But the selectman hummed an old sea chanty while he hunted for a blank, and smiled as he penned the document.

“Committee has been to Squire Alcander Reeves to get some law on the thing,” proceeded Nute, disappointed by this lack of interest in affairs.  “Reeves says that since the show was advertised as a town shindig the town has got to stand behind and fid up for the money that’s shy.  Says it ain’t supposed to fall on the committees to pay for what the town’s beholden for.”

“Let ’em go ahead and settle it to suit all hands,” remarked the first selectman, amiably.  “As the feller used to sing in the dog-watch: 

  “‘Says Jonah, addressin’ the whale, “I wish
    You’d please take notice that I like fish.” 
    Says the whale to Jonah, “It’s plain to see
    That you are goin’ to agree with me."’”

A considerable gathering of the taxpayers of Smyrna had been waiting on the platform of Odbar Broadway’s store for the first selectman to appear and open the town office.  Hiram Look had marshalled them there.  Now he led them across the square and they filed into the office.

The Cap’n did not look up until he had finished his work on the notice.  He handed the paper to Nute with orders to post it after the signatures of the two associate selectmen had been secured.

Then to his surprise Hiram Look received an extremely benignant smile from the Cap’n.

“You ain’t objectin’ any to the special town-meetin’, then?” inquired Hiram, losing some of his apprehensiveness.

“I’m callin’ it as quick as the law will let me—­and happy to do so,” graciously returned the first selectman.

Hiram took off his tall hat with the air of one who has been invited to remain, after anticipating violent rebuff.

“You know, don’t you, what the voters want this special meetin’ for?”

“Sartin sure,” cried the Cap’n.  “Got to have money to square up bills and take the cuss off’m this town of welchin’ on a straight proposition to outsiders who came down here all in good faith after prizes.”

“Exactly,” cried Hiram, glowing.  “Didn’t I always tell you, boys, that though Cap’n Aaron Sproul might be a little gruff and a bit short, sea-capt’in fashion, he was all right underneath?”

There was a mumble of assent.

“There ain’t a first selectman in this State that has shown any more science in handlin’ his job than Cap’n Aaron Sproul of this town.”

“When you come to remember back how he’s grabbed in and taken the brunt every time there’s been anything that needed to be handled proper, you’ve got to admit all what you’ve said, Mr. Look,” assented another of the party.