She had to ask herself that question a dozen times that evening, and she wished Jack had been there to hear what was said. The sociable went gayly on, nevertheless, and all the while Jack sat in Mrs. Murdoch's dining-room, his face fairly glowing red with the interest he took in something spread out upon the table before him. It was a large map of New York city that he had found in the _Eagle_ office and brought to the house. CHAPTER IX. NEARER THE CITY. Mary Ogden would have withdrawn into some quiet corner, at the sociable, if it had not been for Elder Holloway and Miss Glidden, who seemed determined to prevent her from being overlooked. All those who had called upon Mrs. Murdoch knew that Mary had had something to do with that extraordinary number of the _Eagle_, and they told others, but Mrs. Murdoch escaped all discussion about the _Eagle_ by saying she had not read it, and referring every one to Miss Ogden. Mary was glad when the evening was over. After hearing the comments of the public, there was something about their way of editing the paper that seemed almost dishonest. Jack was still up when she came home. "I've used my time better than if I'd gone to the party," he said. "I've studied the map of New York. I'd know just how to go around, if I was there. I am going to study it all the time I'm here." Mr. Murdoch was better. He had had a comfortable night, and felt able to think of business again. "Now, my dear," he said to his wife, "I'm ready to take a look at the _Eagle_. I am glad it was a good number." "They talked about it all last evening at the sociable," she answered, as she handed him a copy. He was even cheerful, when he began; and he studied the paper as Jack had studied the map. It was a long time before he said a word. "My account of the flood is really capital," he said, at last, "and all that about Crofield matters. The report of things in Mertonville is good; that about the logs, the dam, the burglary--a very extraordinary occurrence, by the way--it's a blessing they didn't kill Mrs. McNamara. The story is good; funny-column good. But--oh, gracious! Oh, Mary Ogden! Oh my stars! What's this?" He had begun on the editorials, and he groaned and rolled about while he was reading them. "They'll mob the _Eagle_!" he said at last. "I must get up! Oh, but this is dreadful! She's pitched into everything there is! I must get up at once!" Those editorials were a strong tonic, or else Mr. Murdoch's illness was over. He dressed himself, and walked out into the kitchen. His wife had not heard him say he would get up, but she seemed almost to have expected it. "It's the way you always do," she said. "I'm never much scared about you. You'll never die till your time comes. I think Mary is over at the office." "I'm going there, now," he said, excitedly. "If this work goes on, I shall have the whole town about my ears."