Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1915-08-12
CHAPTER Xxx.
Conclusion of the Quiet Afternoon


which would have had it's eff
feet upon much stronger nerves than
Georges. For Il time he contained
his rising choler and chanted monot-
onously over and over: Il could.
could too! | could! L could too"' But
their tumult wore upon him, and he de-
cided to avail himself of the recent de-
cision whereby big HI was rendered
innocuous and unprofane. Having
used the expression once. he found it
comforting and substituted it for Il
could! l could too!'
But it relieved him only temporarily.
His tormentOrS were unaffected by it
and increased their howlings until at
last George lost his head altogether.
Badgered beyond bearing. his eyes
shining with wild light. he broke
through the besieging trio, hurting little
Maurice from his path with frantic
hand.
"I'll show you!" he cried in this sud-
den frenzy. You give me a chance,
and I'll prove it right now!'
That's talkin' business!' shouted
Penrod. Every body keep still min
ute-everybody!'
He took command of the situation at
once, displaying fine capacity for or
ganization and system. 1t needed only
few minutes to set order in the place
of confusion and to determine, with the
full concurrence of all parties, the con-
ditions under which George Bassett
was to defend his claim by undergoing
what may be perhaps intelligibly de-
fined as the Herman test. George de-
clared he could do it easily. He was
in state OF great excitement and in
no condition to think calmly or proba-
bly, he would not have made the at
tempt at all. Certainly he was over
confident.
1t was during the discussion of the
details Of this enterprise that George s
mother short distance down the
street received Il few female callers.
who came by appointment to drink a
glass Of iced tea with her and to meet
the Rev. Mr.. KinoSling. Mr.. Kinosling
was proving almost formidably inter
esting to the women and girls of his
own and other flocks. What favor of
his fellow clergymen slight precious
ness Of manner and pronuncia ton cost
him was more than balanced by the
visible ecstases OF ladies. They bios
somed at his touch.
He had just entered Mrs. Bassett' 5
front door when the son of the house.
followed by an intent and earnest com
pany Of four. opened the alley gate
and came into the yard. The uncoE-
sciOus Mrs. Bassett was about to have
her first experience of Il fatal coinci-
dence. 1t was her first, because she
was the mother of a boy so we'll be-
haved that he had become a proverb
Of tranScendency. Fatal condolences
were plentiful in the Schotield and
Williams families and would have been
familiar to Mrs. Bassett had George
been permitted greater intimacy with
Penrod and Sam.
Mr.. Kinoslng slipped his iced tea and
looked about him approvingly. Seven
ladies leaned forward, for it was to be
seen that he meant to speak.
This cool room is relief" he said.
waving a graceful hand in neatly
limited gesture. which everybody s
eyes followed. his own included. 1T
is relief and a retreat. The windows
open. the blinds closed-that is as it
should be. 1t is retreat, a fastness.
bastien against the heats assault.
For me quiet roOm-a quiet room and
a book. volume in the hand, held
lightly between the fngers-a volume
of poems, lines metrical and cadenced.
something by a sound Victorian. We
have no later poets"
"Swinburne?" suggested Miss Beam.
an eager Spinster. "Swinburne. Mr..
KinoSling? All. Swinburne."
mot Swinburne." said Mr.. Kinosling
chastely. No"
That concluded all the remarks about
Swinburne
Miss Beam retired in confusion be-
hind another lady, and somehow there
0~~~AS 0AA oSSu al lLupTeSSJOu Till
Miss Beam was erotic.
Il do not observe your manly little
son." Mr.. Kinosling addressed his
hostess.
Hes out playing in the yard" Mrs.
Bassett returned. 81 heard his voice
just now. think"
Everywhere | hear wonderful re-
ports Of him." said Mr.. KinsoIing. II
may say that understand boys. and /
feel that he is a rare. fine, a pure. a
lofty spirit. | say spirit, for spirit is
the word hear spoken of him."
A chorus of enthusiastic appreciation
affirmed the accuracy of this proclama,
ton. and Mrs. BasSet' flushed with
pleasure. Georges spiritual perfection
was demonstrated by instances of it
related by the visitors His piety was
cited. and wonderful things he had said
were q'loteh