Page:Wilson - The Boss of Little Arcady (1905).djvu/370

 "Well—she seems to me to be a born leader of men."

"I see, and you?"

"Oh, nothing—only I'm a man. But something has got to be done. We must use common sense in these matters."

It was early evening a week later when I again saw Solon; one of those still, serene evenings of later summer when the light would yet permit an hour's play at the game. I heard a step, but it was not she I longed, half-expected, and wholly dreaded to see. Instead came Solon, and by his restored confidence of bearing I knew at a glance that something had been done or—since he seemed to be hurried—that he was about to do it.

"It's all over, Cal—it's fixed!"

"Good—how did you fix it?"

"Well—uh—I adopted a tone."

"That was brave, Solon. No other man on God's earth would have dared—"

"A tone, I was about to say—" he broke in a little uncomfortably, I thought—" which I have long contemplated adopting. If I could tell you just how that woman has impressed herself upon me, you'd understand what I mean when I say that she has powers. But I suppose you can't understand it, can you?" His tone, curiously enough, was almost pleading.

"It isn't necessary that I should. I can at least understand that you are the Boss of Little Arcady once more."