Being rather anxiously inquired of by the
storekeeper as to what he could consistently do, Perez finally
suggested that Israel Goodrich was going to have a husking in his barn
the following night, if the warm weather held; and if Desire Edwards
should attend, it would not only please the people generally, but
possibly gain over Israel, a member of the committee. Edwards made no
reply, and Perez left him to think the matter over, pretty confident
of the result.
That evening in the family circle, after a gloomy account of the
disaster threatening to engulf the family fortunes if the proposed
policy of fixing prices were carried out, Edwards spoke of Hamlin's
disposition to come to his aid, and his suggestion concerning Desire's
presence at the husking.
"These huskings are but low bussing-matches," said Mrs. Edwards with
much disgust. "Desire has never set a foot in such a place. I suspect
it is a trick of this fellow to get her in his reach."
"It may be so," said her husband, gloomily. "I thought of that myself,
but what shall we do? Shall we submit to the spoiling of our goods? We
are fallen upon evil times, and the most we can do is to choose
between evils."
Desire, who had sat in stolid silence, now said in much agitation:
"I don't want to go.
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