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Main > Fairy tale > All authors > Frank Baum > Fairy tale "Aunt Jane's Nieces at Work"

Aunt Jane's Nieces at Work

A defeat won't hurt us much, for

we've all made a good fight. Better get to bed and sleep, for you're

tired out. We'll know all about everything in the morning."

But they would not move. Disappointment unnerved them more than victory

would have done. They resolved to wait until the last returns were in.

"Telephone, sir," said Tom Gates.

Kenneth picked up the receiver.

"Here's Dupree," he said. "Our majority over Hopkins is two hundred and

eleven. Let's see, that's a gain of seventy-four votes, my dears."

"Hooray!" cried Patsy, delightedly. "I don't care a rap now, what

happens. Old Hopkins won't have much to crow over if--"

"Wait a minute," said Kenneth. "Here's Fairview, at last!"

They held their breaths and watched his face. Kenneth flushed red as he

held the receiver to his ear, and then grew white. He turned around to

the expectant group and Beth knew from the sparkle in his eyes what had

happened.

"Fairview's six precincts give us six hundred and forty-one majority,"

announced the boy, in an awed tone. "That's a gain of nearly four

hundred!"

They gazed at him in silent wonder. Then Uncle John rose slowly and took

the boy's hand.

"That means we've won--and won in a walk," said the little man.

"Kenneth, we congratulate you."

Patsy's face was buried in her handkerchief, and Beth's great eyes were

bright with unshed tears. But Louise laughed her soft, musical laugh and

remarked:

"Why, I knew all the time we would win. We had the better candidate, you

see."

"And the best campaign managers," added Uncle John, with a proud smile.

"That may be true," admitted Beth. "But the thing that really won the

fight was Patsy's sore tooth."

CHAPTER XXII

THE AWAKENING

James and Mr. Burke met the great specialist in brain diseases at the

noon train on Wednesday and drove him to Elmhurst.

Dr. Hoyt was a handsome, gray-haired man, with kindly eyes and a

distinguished manner. When he was ushered into the library the young

ladies were attracted by the physician at once, and from the first

glance were inspired by confidence in his powers.

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