shire。〃 She smiled； lowering her voice
dramatically。 〃But which side are they on？ Are they for us or agin' us？〃
Her humor drifted unanswered into the stale schoolhouse air as Howard
ushered her into the meeting hall； led her onto the stage； and ges tured
her into a seat。 He took one by her side。 As though on cue； the crowd
silenced and the moderator began。
〃Ladies and gentlemen；〃 he said in a voice made flat by its broad New
England slant； 〃on behalf of my friends and； uh〃…he cast an enpassing
glance backward； then turned a cough into a snicker； bringing chuckit's
from the audience@'adversaries here on the stage with me； I would like
to thank you for ing tonight。 It's a rare pleasure to see so many of
you gathered at once。 We realized that the issue of the Rye Beach Resort
and Condominium plex would stir a few of you to action； but we had no
idea how many。 I don't believe we've had a response like this since that
talk of a state prison here a while back。〃
Chloe was wondering who the man was when Howard whispered； 〃He's Felix
Hart…town manager； missioner of public safety； President of the
United States in his dreams。〃
She smiled at the quip。 Nodding her thanks for the information； she
refocused on the speaker。
and they listened to us then； just as they listened to us when they
mentioned a hazardous waste disposal center six miles fr