Sedgwick, who had his back to him, turned quickly, and seeing Laban,
said in a preemptory tone:

"Ah! Laban, you may tell your friends that the convention very wisely
did nothing at all," and as he said this he turned to finish something
that he was saying to Squire Woodbridge. Laban's jaw fell, and he
continued to stand stock still for several moments, his dull features
working as he tried to take in the idea. Finally, his consternation
absorbing his timidity he said feebly:

"Nothin? Did you say, Squire?"

Sedgwick wheeled about with a frown, which however, changed into an
expression of contemptuous pity as he saw the genuineness of the poor
fellow's discomfiture.

"Nothing, Laban," he said, "except to resolve to support the courts,
enforce the laws, and punish all disorderly persons. Don't forget that
last, Laban, to punish all disorderly persons. Be sure to tell your
friends that. And tell them, too, Laban, that it would be well for
them to leave matters of government to their betters and attend to
their farms," and as Laban turned mechanically and walked back
Sedgwick added, speaking to the gentlemen about him:

"I like not this assembling of the people to discuss political
matters. We must look to it, gentlemen, or we shall find that we have
ridded ourselves of a king only to fall into the hands of a democracy,
which I take it would be a bad exchange."