"As to that, my dear Spry, we must, of course, approach the subject in a large and hopeful spirit. When everything is arranged I shall propose an appeal to the district. I have thought of this, too, and, I consider, if we can collect thirty to forty pounds, that should cover all expenses." Mr. Churchward it was who spoke. "You'll never get as much as that--or half of it," declared Weekes. "What are you going to show 'em for the money?" "That's the point. I propose----" Mr. Taverner, who had been whispering with Mr. Pearn, interrupted. "Excuse me if I'm not in order; but I beg to say that talking's dry work, and I should like for to ask if we may send round to the 'Castle' for a quart or two?" The chairman looked round him. "Agreed," said Mr. Prout. "I second that." "I've no objection in the world," declared Mr. Churchward. "I should have suggested it myself," remarked Noah Pearn; "but for obvious reasons, gentlemen, I couldn't." They applauded his delicate feeling, and Adam spoke to Nathaniel Spry. "If you walk across to the inn, Nat, you'll find my son in the bar for certain," he said. "Just tell him to fetch over two quarts of mild, and write it down to me; and put on your overcoat afore you go, for the night is sharp." "And I'll ask for a bottle of lemonade, if there's no objection," added Mr. Norseman. The publican was mollified at this order, and while the others talked, he turned to his former enemy. "I hope you'll not think twice of what I said, and come to my free lunch with the rest, Henry Norseman," he said. The other nodded. "Plenty of time, plenty of time," he answered. "I can't sit cool and hear beer attacked," explained Mr. Pearn. "As a man of reason, you must see that." "Certainly, certainly. I'm not unreasonable--I'm large-minded even over beer, I believe. If we must have it--poison though it is--let us have it good." "And the man who says he ever got bad beer at my house is a liar," concluded Mr. Pearn. The schoolmaster rapped on the table and resumed the main discussion. "Now as to this procession," he began. "We must have features. I believe I am allowed some claim to be original in my ideas. Indeed, I am too much so, and even in the scholastic line, find myself rather ahead of the times. But with a procession, what can be better than originality? Then I say we must have some impersonations--historic characters--to walk in procession. They must be allegorical and typical, and, in fact, emblematical." He paused for breath just as Mr. Spry returned. "William's going to bring the beer to the committee in five minutes," said he. "You've missed some long words, postmaster," remarked Mr. Taverner. "The chairman here have got a great thought for the procession. 'Twill be better than the riders,[1] if it can be done." [1] _The Riders_, a circus. "Allegorical, emblematical, _et hoc genus omne_," declared Mr. Churchward, and mopped his forehead.