Mary remembered a political editorial she had taken from a New York paper, and had cut down to fit the _Eagle_; but its effect was something unexpected.
"There was serious talk among the hotel-men and innkeepers of mobbing the _Eagle_ office to-day!"
"That," thought Mary, "must be the high-license editorial from that Philadelphia weekly."
"We must _act_, Judge Edwards!" exclaimed another voice. "Nobody knows Murdoch's politics, but his denunciation of the prevailing corruption is terrible. There's a storm rising. The Republican Committee has called a special meeting to consider the matter, and we Democrats must do the same. The _Eagle_ is right about it, too; but it was a daring step for him to take."
"That's the editorial from the Chicago daily," thought Mary; "the last part was from that Boston paper! Oh, dear me! What have I done?"
She had to ask herself that question a dozen times that evening, and she wished Jack had been there to hear what was said.
The sociable went gayly on, nevertheless, and all the while Jack sat in Mrs. Murdoch's dining-room, his face fairly glowing red with the interest he took in something spread out upon the table before him. It was a large map of New York city that he had found in the _Eagle_ office and brought to the house.
Mary Ogden would have withdrawn into some quiet corner, at the sociable, if it had not been for Elder Holloway and Miss Glidden, who seemed determined to prevent her from being overlooked. All those who had called upon Mrs. Murdoch knew that Mary had had something to do with that extraordinary number of the _Eagle_, and they told others, but Mrs. Murdoch escaped all discussion about the _Eagle_ by saying she had not read it, and referring every one to Miss Ogden.
Mary was glad when the evening was over. After hearing the comments of the public, there was something about their way of editing the paper that seemed almost dishonest.
"I've used my time better than if I'd gone to the party," he said. "I've studied the map of New York. I'd know just how to go around, if I was there. I am going to study it all the time I'm here."
Mr. Murdoch was better. He had had a comfortable night, and felt able to think of business again.
"Now, my dear," he said to his wife, "I'm ready to take a look at the _Eagle_. I am glad it was a good number."