The exclamation came from Slicker who had been standing near the side of the platform gazing at the speaker with wide and admiring eyes, drinking in the power of his oratory. But the reference to the generosity and patriotism of Slicker’s two Hallowe’en co-conspirators had been too much for his sense of humor; hence his inadvertent exclamation of joyous disbelief. He at once clapped both hands over his mouth to repress any further ejaculations of surprise or amusement, but it was too late. Most of the persons in the audience knew the story of the grading, realized the governor’s mistake, and, after the first gasp at Slicker’s interruption, burst into hearty laughter. The chief executive officer of the great commonwealth was plainly nonplused. He saw that he had fallen into some inadvertence, but what it was he could not imagine. He turned to Captain McCormack who was sitting at his right and inquired as to the cause of the general hilariousness. But, when the captain rose to explain, he was so obviously confused and embarrassed that the audience broke into renewed fits of laughter, and the otherwise brave captain resumed his seat without having been able to vouchsafe a sufficient explanation of the situation to the distinguished guest. The Governor turned to Mr. Barriscale who was sitting at his left and repeated the question. The ironmaster half rose from his chair to reply, but, looking out over the audience and noting the sight and sound of its ever increasing hilarity, he too sank back into his seat silent, bewildered and dumb. “Perhaps,” said the Governor, “if the two young gentlemen themselves are in the audience they will come forward and enlighten us.” But the “two young gentlemen,” who had hitherto been standing prominently near the steps leading to the platform, scenting trouble from the moment of Slicker’s outburst, had, by this time, silently and judiciously disappeared. It was at this juncture that Sarah Halpert, who had been sitting well to the front of the auditorium, rose in her place. Immediately the noise and laughter were hushed. If Sarah Halpert were about to say something the audience wanted to hear it; and the audience did hear it.