He met Kenneth face to face, and the latter said pleasantly: "Good afternoon, Mr.Hopkins." "Ah, it's Forbes, isn't it ?" replied Hopkins, slightingly.

"I've met you before, somewheres, haven't I ?" "You have, sir." "Glad you're here, Forbes; glad you're here," continued the Representative, airily, as he made his way through the crowd that blocked the entrance.

"These meetings are educational to young men.
Girls all well, I hope ?" There was a boisterous laugh at this sally, and Mr.Hopkins smiled and entered the Opera House, while Kenneth followed with the feeling that he would take great delight in punching the Honorable Erastus's nose at the first opportunity.
The house was packed full of eager spectators who had come to see "the fun." Although the girls had taken charge of all the arrangements they had devoted the left side of the ample stage to the use of the Hopkins party, where a speaker's table and chairs for important guests had been placed.

The right side was similarly arranged for the Forbes party, and between the two the entire center of the stage was occupied by a group of fifty young girls.

Above this group a great banner was suspended, reading: "The Signs of the Times," a catchword Mr.Hopkins had employed throughout the campaign.