“Did Jane Quimby say `those two other old fools’?” inquired the Colonel, in a manner which indicated that he might see Mr. Quimby in regard to the slander.

“I can’t say as I remember just precisely her exact words,” admitted Mrs. Flitcroft, “but that was the sense of ’em!  You’ve made yourselves the laughin’-stock of the whole town!”

“Oh, we have?”

“And I’d like to know”—­her voice became shrill and goading—­“I’d like to know what Judge Pike thinks of you and Norbert!  I should think you’d be ashamed to have him pass you in the street.”

“I’ve quit speaking to him,” said Norbert, coldly, “ever since I heard he owned Beaver Beach.”

“That story ain’t proved yet!” returned his grandmother, with much irascibility.

“Well, it will be; but that’s not all.”  Norbert wagged his head.  “You may be a little surprised within the next few days.”

“I’ve been surprised for the past few!” she replied, with a bitterness which overrode her satisfaction in the effectiveness of the retort.  “Surprised!  I’d like to know who wouldn’t be surprised when half the town acts like it’s gone crazy.  People PRAISIN’ that fellow, that nobody in their sober minds and senses never in their lives had a good word for before!  Why, there was more talk yesterday about his doin’s at the Court-house—­ you’d of thought he was Phil Sheridan!  It’s `Joe Louden’ here and `Joe Louden’ there, and `Joe Louden’ this and `Joe Louden’ that, till I’m sick of the name!”

“Then why don’t you quit saying it?” asked the Colonel, reasonably.

“Because it’d ought to be said!” she exclaimed, with great heat.  “Because he’d ought to be held up to the community to be despised.  You let me have that paper a minute,” she pursued, vehemently; “you just let me have the Tocsin and I’ll read you out some things about him that ’ll show him in his true light!”

“All right,” said Norbert, suddenly handing her the paper.  “Go ahead.”

And after the exchange of a single glance the two gentlemen composed themselves to listen.

“Ha!” exclaimed Mrs. Flitcroft.  “Here it is in head-lines on the first page. `Defence Scores Again and Again.  Ridiculous Behavior of a Would-Be Mob.  Louden’s—­’” She paused, removed her spectacles, examined them dubiously, restored them to place, and continued:  “`Louden’s Masterly Conduct and Well-Deserved—­’ " she paused again, incredulous—­“`Well-Deserved Triumph—­’ "

“Go on,” said the Colonel, softly.

“Indeed I will!” the old lady replied.  “Do you think I don’t know sarcasm when I see it?  Ha, ha!” She laughed with great heartiness.  “I reckon I will go on!  You listen and try to learn something from it!” She resumed the reading: