"I was _sure_ you would approve of it," said Mrs. Munger. "That is
why I came to you--to you and Mrs. Gerrish--first," said Mrs. Munger. "I
was sure you would see it in the right light." She looked round at Annie
for corroboration, and Annie was in the social necessity of making a
confirmatory murmur.

Mr. Gerrish ignored them both in the more interesting work of celebrating
himself. "I may say that there is not an institution in this town which I
have not contributed my humble efforts to--to--establish, from the drinking
fountain in front of this store, to the soldiers' monument on the village
green."

Annie turned red; Mrs. Munger said shamelessly, "That beautiful monument!"
and looked at Annie with eyes full of gratitude to Mr. Gerrish.

"The schools, the sidewalks, the water-works, the free library, the
introduction of electricity, the projected system of drainage, and
_all_ the various religious enterprises at various times, I am
proud--I am humbly proud--that I have been allowed to be the means of
doing--sustaining--"

He lost himself in the labyrinths of his sentence, and Mrs. Munger came to
his rescue: "I fancy Hatboro' wouldn't be Hatboro' without _you_, Mr.
Gerrish! And you _don't_ think that Mr. Peck's objection will be
seriously felt by other leading citizens?"

"_What_ is Mr. Peck's objection?" demanded Mr. Gerrish, perceptibly
bristling up at the name of his pastor.