Inside every seat was occupied. It was too important a
meeting for any trustee to miss.
McGaw stood on his toes and looked over the heads. To his
delight, Tom was not in the room, and no one representing her. If
he had had any lingering suspicion of her bidding, her
non-appearance allayed it. He knew now that she was out of the
race. Moreover, no New Brighton people had come. He whispered
this information to Justice Rowan's brother behind his big,
speckled hand covered with its red, spidery hair. Then the two
forced their way out again, reentered the post-office, and
borrowed a pen. Once there, McGaw took from his side pocket two
large envelopes, the contents of which he spread out under the
light.
"I'm dead roight," said McGaw. "I'll put up the price of this
other bid. There ain't a man round here that dares show his head.
The Union's fixed 'em."
"Will the woman bid?" asked his companion.
"The woman! What'd she be a-doin' wid a bid loike that? She
c'u'dn't handle the half of it. I'll wait till a few minutes to
nine o'clock. Ye kin fix up both these bids an' hold 'em in yer
pocket. Thin we kin see what bids is laid on the table. Ours'll
go in last. If there's nothin' else we'll give'em the high one.
I'll git inside the rail, so's to be near the table.
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