e broad stone steps。
〃Chloe！ There you are。 I was beginning to worry。〃 A man stepped from
beneath the deep brick overhang and fell into easy step beside her as
they passed through a large oak door into the high school and headed
down a long corridor。
〃I'm sorry； Howard；〃 she said； meaning it。 Howard Wolschinski was the
state senator who had first sought her services。 After three meetings；
she had e to like him。 〃I'd hoped to be on the road by four； but； I
swear； there was a conspiracy against me。 First the phone； then my car。〃
〃Anything major with either？〃 he asked。
〃No on both counts。 But I didn't clear Little pton until five； and by
that time the rush…hour traffic was horrid。 I drove as fast as I could。
I hope I haven't messed things up。〃
〃You haven't。 The meeting was called for seven thirty。 You're only five
minutes late。 It's given the crowd a chance to settle down。〃 He guided
her around a corner with a light hand at her elbow and began the climb
as soon as they reached a staircase。
At the first landing； Chloe asked； 〃How's the turnout？〃
He grinned sheepishly。 〃I only wish we did half as well at political
rallies。 This is a wele change from apathy。 The auditorium is packed。
There must be several hundred people in there。〃
Chloe was surprised and decidedly pleased。 〃Several hundred？ Not bad for
a county meeting in New Hamp