thing major with either？〃 he asked。
〃No on both counts。 But I didn't clear Little pton until five； and by
that time the rush…hour traffic was horrid。 I drove as fast as I could。
I hope I haven't messed things up。〃
〃You haven't。 The meeting was called for seven thirty。 You're only five
minutes late。 It's given the crowd a chance to settle down。〃 He guided
her around a corner with a light hand at her elbow and began the climb
as soon as they reached a staircase。
At the first landing； Chloe asked； 〃How's the turnout？〃
He grinned sheepishly。 〃I only wish we did half as well at political
rallies。 This is a wele change from apathy。 The auditorium is packed。
There must be several hundred people in there。〃
Chloe was surprised and decidedly pleased。 〃Several hundred？ Not bad for
a county meeting in New Hampshire。〃 She smiled； lowering her voice
dramatically。 〃But which side are they on？ Are they for us or agin' us？〃
Her humor drifted unanswered into the stale schoolhouse air as Howard
ushered her into the meeting hall； led her onto the stage； and ges tured
her into a seat。 He took one by her side。 As though on cue； the crowd
silenced and the moderator began。
〃Ladies and gentlemen；〃 he said in a voice made flat by its broad New
England slant； 〃on behalf of my friends and； uh〃…he cast an enpassing
glance backward； then turned a cough into a snicker； bringing chuckit's
from the audience@'adversaries here on the stage with me； I would like
to thank you for ing tonight。 It's a rare pleasure to see so many of
you gathered at once。 We realized that the issue of the Rye Beach Resort
and Condominium plex would stir
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