The Meeting
105
At the secretary's desk was a little man intently perusing a newspaper.
When all had assembled the chairman arose and rapped gently upon the rostrum.
"The meeting will please come to order," he said, and a sudden hush fell upon the place.
"I believe the first thing in order is for the secretary to read the minutes of the last meeting."
The secretary glanced over his paper.
"I've mislaid 'em somewhere," he said; "but they don't amount to anything, anyhow."
The chairman looked reproachful when the meeting joyously applauded this announcement.
"Ahem!" he said. "Are there any remarks?"
A tall, thin man rose from the benches and cleared his throat. Instantly every eye was upon him. Someone beside Jarrod laughed, and
