I will give him my answer before morning." Simon said to the company: "Men, will you sell your wheat to Ambrose Doane at a dollar-seventy-five ?" The question broke the spell of silence.

There could be no mistake that the proposal was successful.

A chorus of acclamations filled the room.
"Very good!" said Simon.

"I will talk with Ambrose Doane and try to make him trade with us." The meeting broke up.

It was then a little after nine.
Simon and Ambrose went apart to a bench on the river bank.