Among the uninitiated there were those who fondly believed that Bassett was killed, not scotched, and they said among themselves that the party and the state were well rid of him.

Thatcher was to be reckoned with, but he was no worse than Bassett: with such cogitations they comforted themselves amid the noise and confusion.

The old Bassett superstition held, however, with many: this was only another of the Boss's deep-laid schemes, and he would show his hand in due season and prove himself, as usual, master of the situation.

Others imagined that Bassett was sulking, and these were not anxious to be the target of his wrath when he chose to emerge from his tent in full armor.
A young woman reporter, traversing the galleries to note the names and gowns of the ladies present, sought Mrs.Bassett for information as to her husband's whereabouts.

When Mrs.Bassett hesitated discreetly, Marian rose promptly to the occasion:-- "Papa's gone fishing," she replied suavely.
This was not slow to reach the floor.