That night Congressman Carlton entertained the Cleverly delegation at dinner. It was a merry party, for they all felt very happy over their preliminary victory in the matter of the new Federal station. Barry was included among the dinner guests, and he conducted himself with due modesty, and yet with all of the confidence of a veteran statesman. The episode of the afternoon naturally came in for a large share of conversation. The various members of the party viewed it according to their respective methods of viewing life. "I think we might as well go ahead and advertise for proposals," said Postmaster Ford, who had the reputation of being the most optimistic man in Cleverly. "The bill's as good as passed. It's a sure thing!" Congressman Carlton laughed. "I wish you would loan me your rose-colored glasses, Ford," was his comment; "you certainly look on the sunny side of things." "It's the only way to succeed," was the jovial response. "I think pessimists should be suppressed by law." "What do you think of that, Mr. Blake?" asked the legislator, turning to Barry's uncle. Hiram was a cautious man. He paused for some moments before replying. He spoke, finally, with great deliberation: "I think it's a great mistake for any of us, either as individuals or as a community, to count our chickens before they are hatched." Daniel Smithers had remained silent during the interchange of views. John Carlton glanced in his direction. "What has the philosopher of Cleverly to say on the burning subject of the hour?" The schoolmaster modestly disclaimed the title, saying that as far as wisdom was concerned, there was safety in numbers. "But what do you think of the situation?" insisted the Congressman. "Well," said the other, "I think Ford and Blake are extremists. I see no occasion for either joy or sorrow." "Smithers is hedging," called a voice from the other side of the table. "Not at all," protested the teacher. "As I view the situation, we have every reason to be satisfied. We have won the skirmish, but the big battle is still to be fought. Moreover, it does not take a very bright observer to see that Mr. Carlton has a very resourceful and determined adversary in Jesse Hudson. He was very much chagrined over his setback this afternoon, and if I am not very much mistaken in my man he will do his best to keep Cleverly from getting the new Naval Repair Station." Mr. Carlton nodded his head. "You've sized the situation up to the dot. There's no use blinking our eyes to the truth. I'm up against the hardest fight of my life. While you're with me, gentlemen, I feel your enthusiasm and strength. But when you go away you must not forget that--" "That you'll be standing all alone against a combination of clever politicians," interrupted Hiram Blake. The Congressman laughed. "That's not exactly what I intended to say," he remarked, "but we'll let it go at that." "Blake's wrong in one particular," observed Smithers. "How?"