Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1915-08-31
CHAPTER Xxx.
Conclusion of the Quiet Afternoon.

chorus. They jeered, derided
scoffed and raised an uproaI
which would have had its ef
feet upon much stronger nerves thar
Georges. For time be contained
his rising choler and chanted monot'
onously over and over: II could!
could too! l could! l could too" But
their tumult wore upon him, and he de
cided to avail himself of the recent de-
cision whereby big II was rendered
innocuous and unprofane. Having
used the expression once. he found II
comforting and substituted it for II
could! l could too!'
But it relieved him only temporarily.
His tormentors were unaffected by II
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.
"Ill show your he cried in this sud
den frenzy. You give me a chance,
and I'll prove it right nowP'
That's talkin' business" shouted
Penrod. Everybody keep still a min.
ute-everybody!'
He took command Of the situation at
once, displaying fine capacity for or,
ganization and system. 1t needed only
q 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 1t easily. He was
In a 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 be was over.
confident.
1t was during the discussion Of the
details of this enterprise that Georges
mother a short distance down the
street received u few female callers,
who came by appointment to drink u
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 tocks. What favor of
his fellow clergymen slight precious
ness of manner and pronunciation cost
him was more than balanced by the
visible ecstasies OF ladies. They bios
somed ut his touch.
He had just entered Mrs. BaSsett's
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 uncon-
scious Mrs. BaSSett was about to have
her first experience Of fatal coinci-
dence. 1t was her first, because she
was the mother Of boy so we'll be-
haved that he had become proverb
of tranScendency. Fatal condolences
were plentiful in the SchOfield and
Williams families and would have been
familiar to Mrs. Bassett had George
been permitted greater intimacy with
Penrod and Sam.
Mr.. Kinosling 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 a relief" he said,
waving a graceful hand in a neatly
limited gesture, which everybody's
eyes followed, his own included. 1T
is a relief and retreat The windows
open. the blinds closed-that is as II
should be. 1t Is retreat, fastness,
a baston against the heats assault.
For me quiet room-a quiet room and
a book, a volume in the hand, held
lightly between the fingers-a volume
Of poems, lines metrical and cadenced
something by 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
became diffused an impression that
Miss Beam was erotic.
81 do not observe your manly little
son." Mr.. Kinosling addressed bis
hostess.
Hes out playing in the yard" Mrs
Bassett returned. 'T heard his voice
just now, think"
Everywhere l hear wonderful re.
ports Of him." said Mr.. Kinsoling. ~
may say that understand boys, and ]
feel that he is rare. fine. pure. q
lofty spirit. l say spirit, for spirit is
the word l hear spoken of him"
A chorus Of enthusiastic appreciation
affirmed the accuracy Of this proclama,
ton, and Mrs. Bassett flushed with
pleasure. Georges spiritual perfection
was demonstrated by instances Of II
related by the visitors. His piety was
cited, and wonderful things he had said
were quoted.
"Not all boys ore pure, Of fine spirit,
Of high mind" said Mr.. Kinosling, and
continued with true feeling: "You have
D neighbor, dear Mrs. Bassett, whose
household I indeed really feel 1t quite
impossible to visit until such time
when better. f1rmer, stronger handed,
more determined discipline shall pre-
vail. 1 find Mr.. and Mrs. schofeld and
their daughter charming, but
Three or four ladies said "Oh" and
spoke a name simultaneously. It w2s
as If they had said, "Oh, the bubonic
plaguer'
"Oh! Peurod Schofeldr'
George does not play with him."
paid Mrs. Bassett Quickly-"that Is, he
avoids him as much as he cal: without
hurting Penrod's feelings. George is
very sensitive to giving pain I sup
pose q mother should not tell these
things, and 1 know people who talk
about their own children are dreadful
bores, but Il was only last Thursday