“Massey’s in,” said Bob.
That caused no excitement. Mr. Massey was always in, as far as his own electorate was concerned, and the putting up of a prohibition candidate against him this time had been a joke.
“Haines leads by a big majority in Whangarei,” read Valerie.
“That means he’s in,” said Roger, wishing it were as sure for himself.
They sent these results to the lantern and listened to the cheers that went up. It was a Massey night sure enough.
Then came Jimmy again through that snapping door.
And a deep gloom settled upon the little room for the first lot of bush returns put Mobray ahead by thirty-six.
“Oh, well,” said Roger valiantly, “that’s all right. I expected that. I won’t carry the bushes. Put it out. We’ve got to take it.”
And it went to the lantern, to be followed by some scattered cheers, but mostly by hisses and groans.
“You’ve got the crowd here, old man,” repeated Allison consolingly.
It was now half-past ten, and the fun was begun in earnest. The next lot of mixed farm and bush votes put Roger ahead by seventeen, and the place rocked with the gambling fever as the men inside juggled with the majorities to make fun for those outside. As the little totals in favour first of one and then of the other seesawed back and forth on the screen the crowd went off its head, drunk not with liquor, for the excitement here kept everyone out of the hotels, but with the frenzy of a big race.
Bob and Valerie were running through a lot of Auckland wires when Mac opened the door. He came in, followed by Doctor Steele and Father Ryan. This was the
