was in training for public office.  Selma did not quite know what to make of it at first.  She had expected that he would crush their opponents beneath an avalanche of righteous invective.  Instead he took his seat with an expression of countenance which was no less benignant than dignified.  When the hearing was declared closed, a few minutes later, he looked in her direction, and in the course of his passage to where she was sitting stopped to exchange affable greetings with assemblymen and others who came in his way.  At his approach Mrs. Earle uttered congratulations so comprehensive that Selma felt able to refrain for the moment from committing herself.  “I am glad that you were pleased,” he said.  “I think I covered the ground, and no one’s feelings have been hurt.”  As though he divined what was passing through Selma’s mind, he added in an aside intended only for their ears, “It was not necessary to use all our powder, for I could tell from the way the committee acted that they were with us.”

“I felt sure they would be,” exclaimed Mrs. Earle.  “And, as you say, it is a pleasure that no one’s feelings were hurt, and that we can all part friends.”

“Which reminds me,” said Lyons, “that I should be glad of an introduction to Mrs. Taylor as she passes us on her way out.  I wish to assure her personally of my willingness to further her efforts to improve the quality of the school board.”

“That would be nice of you,” said Mrs. Earle, “and ought to please and encourage her, for she will be disappointed, poor thing, and after all I suppose she means well.  There she is now, and I will keep my eye on her.”

“But surely, Mr. Lyons,” said Selma, dazed yet interested by this doctrine of brotherly love, “don’t you think our school committee admirable as it is?”

“A highly efficient body,” he answered.  “But I should be glad to have our opponents—­mistaken as we believe them to be—­appreciate that we no less than they are zealous to preserve the present high standard.  We must make them recognize that we are reformers and in sympathy with reform.”

“I see,” said Selma.  “For, of course, we are the real reformers.  Convert them you mean?  Be civil to them at least?  I understand.  Yes, I suppose there is no use in making enemies of them.”  She was thinking aloud.  Though ever on her guard to resent false doctrine, she was so sure of the loyalty of both her companions that she could allow herself to be interested by this new point of view—­a vast improvement on the New York manner because of its ethical suggestion.  She realized that if Mr. Lyons was certain of the committee, it was right, and at the same time sensible, not to hurt anyone’s feelings unnecessarily—­although she felt a little suspicious because he had asked to be introduced to Mrs. Taylor.  Indeed, the more she thought of this attitude, on the assumption that the victory was assured, the more it appealed to her conscience and intelligence; so much so that when Mrs. Earle darted forward to detain Mrs. Taylor, Selma was reflecting with admiration on his magnanimity.