There came a time when Emily Louise divined why. All at once talk began at school, about a thing looming ahead, called an Election. It seemed a disturbing thing, keeping Uncle Charlie at the office all hours. And when in time it actually arrived, Emily Louise could not go to school that day because the way would take her past the Polls, yet ordinarily this was only the grocery; but so dreadful a place is it when it becomes a poll, that Aunt Cordelia could not go to it for her marketing. Hitherto, except when Miss Amanda wanted to be funny, Emily Louise had felt her to be inoffensive; but as election became the absorbing topic of Grammar School, a dreadful thing came to light--Miss Amanda was a Republican. Hattie told Emily Louise; her voice was low and full of horror. For Hattie reflected the spirit of her State and age; the State was in the South, the year was preceding the '80's. Emily Louise lowered her voice, too; it was to ask just what is a Republican. She was conscious of a vagueness. Hattie looked at her, amazed. "A Republican--why--people who are not Democrats--of course." "How does one know which one is?" asked Emily Louise, feeling that it would be disconcerting, considering public opinion, to find herself a Republican. Hattie looked tried. "You're what your father is, naturally. I should think you'd know that, Emily Louise." On the way from school William joined Emily Louise. "What's a Republican, William?" she asked. His countenance changed. "It's--well--it's the sort you don't want to have anything to do with," said William, darkly. Emily Louise, knowing how William regarded her conscientiousness, was uneasy because of a certain recollection. She must get to the bottom of this. She sought Aunt Louise privately. "Aren't you a Democrat?" she inquired. The indignant response of Aunt Louise was disconcerting. "What else could you dream I am?" she demanded with asperity. "You said you didn't approve of Democratic Institutions," explained Emily Louise, recalling. "I approve of nothing under Republican domination," said Aunt Louise haughtily--which was muddling. "What's Papa?" asked Emily Louise, suddenly. Aunt Louise, dressing for a party, shut her door sharply. One could ask Aunt Cordelia. But Aunt Cordelia turned testy, and even told Emily Louise to run away. Uncle Charlie was gone. There was Aunt M'randa and Tom, so Emily Louise sought the kitchen. It was after supper. Tom was spelling the news from a paper spread on the table, and Aunt M'randa was making up the flannel cakes for breakfast. "Who? Yo' paw?" said Tom; "he's a Republican; he done edit that kinder paper over 'cross the Ohier River, he does." There was unction in the glib quickness of Tom's reply. Then he dodged; it was just in time. "Shet yo' mouf," said Aunt M'randa with wrath; "ain't I done tol' how they've kep' it from the chile." Emily Louise was swallowing hard. "Then--then--am I a Republican?" Her voice sounded way off.