midday
Several young men who had come from distances to attend the birthday party had stayed over Sunday at the farmhouse , where the revelry still continued in a fitful way , due to vain attempts to relieve racking headaches by further libations . Monday morning found the dissipated crew still the guests of the Sizers , and when big Bill slowly spelled out the assertion made by the _ Tribune _ that his sister had `` a roughish smile '' loud cries of indignation arose . Molly first cried and then had hysterics and screamed vigorously ; Bill swore vengeance on the _ Millville Tribune _ and all connected with it , while the guests gravely asserted it was `` a low-down , measly trick '' which the Sizers ought to resent . They all began drinking again , to calm their feelings , and after the midday dinner Bill Sizer grabbed a huge cowhide whip and started to Millville to `` lick the editor to a standstill . '' A wagonload of his guests accompanied him , and Molly pleaded with her brother not to hurt Mrs. Weldon . `` I wo n't ; but I 'll cowhide that fresh husband of hers , '' declared Bill . `` He 's the editor -- the paper says so -- and he 's the one I 'm after ! ''