as they knew, only the lead horse in the team, going ahead to show
them the way, while they did the effective pulling that brought
the load to market! Here he slipped his hand in his pocket, took
from it a small box which he laid beside his plate, and continued:

"At these festivals, as you know, and if my memory serves me this
is our third, it has always been our custom to give some slight
token of our appreciation to the man who has done most during the
year to further the work of the office. This has always been a
difficult thing to decide, because every one of you, without a
single exception, has given the best that is in you in the general
result. Three years ago, you remember, it was awarded to the man
who by common consent had carried to completion, and without a
single error, the detailed drawings of the Museum which was
finished last year. I am looking at you, Mr. Downey, and again
congratulate you. Last year it was awarded to Mr. Buttrick for the
masterly way with which he put together the big arches of the
Government warehouses--a man whom it would have been my pleasure
to congratulate again to-night had it been possible for him to
reach us. To-night I think you will all agree with me that this
small token, not only of my own, but of your 'personal regard and
appreciation'" (here he opened the box and took from it a man's
ring set with three jewels), "should be given to the man who has
carried out in so thorough a way the part allotted to him in the
Corn Exchange, and who is none other than Mr. Garrison Minott, who
for--"

The rest of the sentence was lost in the uproar.

"Garry! Garry! Garry Minott!" came from all parts of the room.