"How did you hear that?" I asked.
He smiled.
"It's Grierson, ain't it?"
"Yes, it's Grierson," I said.
"How are you going to get your folks out there?" he demanded.
"That's what I've come to see you about. We want a franchise for
Maplewood Avenue."
"Maplewood Avenue!" He lay back with his eyes closed, as though trying to
visualize such a colossal proposal....
When I left him, two hours later, the details were all arranged, down to
Mr. Jason's consideration from Riverside Company and the "fee" which his
lawyer, Mr. Bitter, was to have for "presenting the case" before the
Board of Aldermen. I went back to lunch at the Boyne Club, and to receive
the congratulations of my friends. The next week the Riverside Company
was formed, and I made out a petition to the Board of Aldermen for a
franchise; Mr. Bitter appeared and argued: in short, the procedure so
familiar to modern students of political affairs was gone through. The
Maplewood Avenue residents rose en masse, supported by the City
Improvement League. Perry Blackwood, as soon as he heard of the petition,
turned up at my office. By this time I was occupying Mr. Watling's room.
"Look here," he began, as soon as the office-boy had closed the door
behind him, "this is going it a little too strong."
"What is?" I asked, leaning back in my chair and surveying him.
"This proposed Maplewood Avenue Franchise. Hugh," he said, "you and I
have been friends a good many years, Lucia and I are devoted to Maude."