little as it possibly can. And it is right.

Things were in this state at this meeting on the 13th of June, which
threatened to end in a riot--insults exchanged, fisticuffs
succeeding the insults, cane thrashings succeeding the fisticuffs,
revolver shots succeeding the cane thrashings--when at thirty-seven
minutes past eight there occurred a diversion.

The porter of the Weldon Institute coolly and calmly, like a
policeman amid the storm of the meeting, approached the presidential
desk. On it he placed a card. He awaited the orders that Uncle
Prudent found it convenient to give.

Uncle Prudent turned on the steam whistle, which did duty for the
presidential bell, for even the Kremlin clock would have struck in
vain! But the tumult slackened not.

Then the president removed his hat. Thanks to this extreme measure a
semi-silence was obtained.

"A communication!" said Uncle Prudent, after taking a huge pinch from
the snuff-box which never left him.

"Speak up!" answered eighty-nine voices, accidentally in agreement on
this one point.

"A stranger, my dear colleagues, asks to be admitted to the meeting."

"Never!" replied every voice.