When the service was over he went out into the anteroom with the young fellows, who were anxious to meet him. Quite a number of farmers were in from the country, and they all crowded about, shaking his hand with great heartiness. He moved on with them to the sidewalk, where many of the congregation stood talking subduedly in groups. The women came by in their starched neatness, leading rebellious boys in torturing suits of winter thickness topped with collars, stiff as sauce pans; while the little girls walked as upright as dolls, looking disdainfully at their sulking brothers. Some of the merchants passing by discussed the sermon, some talked about crops with the farmers, and those around Bradley dipped into the political situation guardedly. While he was talking to some of the town people, he saw Nettie come up and join a young man at the door whom he had recognized as the tenor in the choir; and they sauntered off together under the full-leafed maples--she in dainty white and pink, he in a miraculously modish suit of gray, a rose in his lapel. Bradley looked after them without special wonder. It was only as he went back to his room that he began to see how fully Nettie had outgrown her passion for him. * * * * * He met her the next day as he was going home from the office. "Hello, Bradley," she said, without blushing, though her eyes wavered before his. He held out his hand with a frank smile. "Hello, Nettie, which way are you going?" "Going home now, been up to the grocery. Want to go 'long?" "I don't mind. How are you, anyway?" "Oh, I'm all right. Say! that beard of yours makes you look as funny as old fun." "Does it?" he said. "You bet! It makes you look old enough to go to Congress. Say! heard from Radbourn lately?" Bradley shook his head. "Well, I haven't, but Lily has. He's writing--writing for the newspapers, she said." "Is that so? I haven't heard it." "E-huh! Say, do you know Lily's all bent on him yet! Funny, ain't it? I ain't that way, am I?" she ended, with her customary audacity. "No, it's out o' sight, out o' mind with you," he replied, with equal frankness. "Oh, not quite so bad as that. Ain't yeh comin' in?" They were at the gate. "Guess not. You remember your father's command; I must never darken his door." She laughed heartily. "I guess that don't count now." "Don't it? Well, some other time then." "All right, but gimme that basket. Goin' to lug that off with you?" XVI. NOMINATION. On the Monday evening following Bradley's return, there was quite a gathering at Robie's along about sundown. Colonel Peavy and Judge Brown came down together, and Ridings and Deering were there also, seated comfortably under the awning, in mild discussion with Robie, who had taken the side of free trade, to be contrary, as Deering said. "No, sir; I take that side for it's right." There was something sincere in his reply, and Ridings stared. "How long since?" "About a week."