So the big hall was crowded with
people, and in one of the front rows sat the Bostwick family, with
the learned Yale professor beside them. They all looked tired and
pale, as if they had passed a rather dissipated evening, and the
senator was rendered so nervous by seeing them that he refused to
look in their direction a second time.
While the mayor was introducing him the great man sat fidgeting in
his chair; and, happening to put his thumb and finger into his vest
pocket, he found the lavender-colored bonbon he had placed there the
evening before.
"This may clear my throat," thought the senator, and slipped the
bonbon into his mouth.
A few minutes afterwards he arose before the vast audience, which
greeted him with enthusiastic plaudits.
"My friends," began the senator, in a grave voice, "this is a most
impressive and important occasion."
Then he paused, balanced himself upon his left foot, and kicked his
right leg into the air in the way favored by ballet-dancers!
There was a hum of amazement and horror from the spectators, but the
senator appeared not to notice it. He whirled around upon the tips
of his toes, kicked right and left in a graceful manner, and
startled a bald-headed man in the front row by casting a languishing
glance in his direction.
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