The others re-entered the room at this point. “The thing is as plain as day,” said Kerrigan. “There were only three votes in the past session that held them down; the figures show that they have defeated two of these, and if this is the case and Kelly is not beaten, they have a majority of one.” “An’ that,” said Owen, “is as good as a hundred till do their darty wurk.” “Is it that close?” asked Larry. “Gee! we’ll have to hustle.” “They will seat these men, Daily and Levitsky, in the convention, by hook or by crook,” remarked Kerrigan. “And in that case they will have a majority of two.” “But the two-thirds rule,” Mason interrupted. “They must have two-thirds of the delegates to nominate.” “The bunch with the most tallies always wins out,” said Larry. “If they show a lead in the runnin’, enough’ll flop over to make good for them.” After a time Larry and Kerrigan arose to go, while Mason remained to talk with Owen. “Don’t forget, Mason,” said Kerrigan, “that I’ll want to see you to-morrow about old Miss Cassidy’s will.” “God help uz all”; said Owen. “All av the owld neighbours is dyin’ off. She wur a kind body, too, wur Miss Cassidy, for all she wur an owld maid.” Maggie opened the door for the two young men as they departed. She smiled as she said: “You must come again, Larry,” and then as an after-thought, “And you too, Mr. Kerrigan.” Kerrigan looked at Murphy quizzically, as they walked down the street. “You’re ace high there, Larry.” “Oh, cut it out,” said Larry, impatiently. But he was glad to hear it said, nevertheless. Goose McGonagle had covered his route quickly that morning and by the time service was finished in the church and the thin stream of people began to flow into the street, he was standing on the step of Regan’s cigar store anxiously awaiting Clancy. The grocer had stopped to discuss the primaries upon the sidewalk in front of the church, and some little time elapsed before he arrived at the point where Goose was awaiting him. “Hello, Clancy,” saluted the latter, cordially. “How’s t’ings?” But without pausing for a reply he took the elder man by the sleeve and led him out to the curb. “Say,” inquired he, “have youse noticed that I’ve been hangin’ around your place a good bit in the last two or t’ree mont’s?” “I have,” answered Clancy, bracing himself stiffly. “Then I guess youse’re onto the reason.” The grocer’s looks were not encouraging and Goose began to waver. But he pulled himself together, and blurted out. “Say, do youse mind if me and Annie gits Father Dawson to tie the knot?” “Is it yezsilf would take Annie till Father Dawson?” “Sure.” “Well, the divil himself niver witnessed sich a cheek. An’ might I ax what yez have till kape a wife on?” “Why, I ain’t got much dough,” admitted Goose, ruefully. “But there’s me milk route and--”