The Mayor went in and fell into conversation with Johnstone. He spoke of the glories of the coming day, of his own new gown, and of Mrs. Hedger's; and as he raised his voice in enthusiastic description Mrs. Johnstone stole in from the back parlor and stood within the door. The Alderman affected scorn of the whole affair, and chuckled maliciously when the Mayor referred to Dale Bannister.
"Then," said the Mayor, "after the Institoot's opened, there's a grand luncheon at the Grange, with the Duke, and his Lordship, and the Squire, and all."
He paused: the Alderman whistled indifferently, and his wife drew a step nearer. The Mayor proceeded, bringing his finest rhetoric into play.
"The Crown," he said, "the County, and the Town will be represented."
"What, are you going, Hedger?" asked the Alderman, with an incredulous laugh.
"The Squire and Mrs. Delane are so good as to make a point of me and Mrs. Hedger attendin'--in state, Johnstone."
"My!" said Mrs. Johnstone, moving a step within the door. "That'll be a day for Susan."
"His Lordship gives Susan his arm," said the Mayor.
"Aint there any more going from the town?" asked Mrs. Johnstone, while the Alderman ostentatiously occupied himself with one of his posters.
"The Squire," replied the Mayor, "did want another,--there's no room but for two,--but he thinks there's no one of sufficient standin'--not as would go."
"You see, ma'am," pursued the Mayor, "we must consider the lady. The lady must be asked. Now would _you_ ask Mrs. Maggs, or Mrs. Jenks, or Mrs. Capper, or any o' that lot, ma'am?"
"Sakes, no!" said Mrs. Johnstone scornfully.
"'There is a lady,' I says to the Squire, 'as would do honor to the town, but there--the man's wrong there!'"
Mrs. Johnstone came nearer still, glancing at her husband.
"When I mentioned the party I was thinkin' of," the Mayor went on, "the Squire slapped his thigh, and, says he, 'The very man we want, Hedger,' he says; 'all parties ought to be represented. He's a Liberal--a prominent Liberal; so much the better. Now, won't he come?' 'Well,' says I, 'he's an obstinate man;' and Mrs. Delane says, 'You must try, Mr. Mayor. Say what pleasure it 'ud give me to see him and Mrs. Johnstone----' There, I've let it out!"