Ralph and Elliott wanted to see the Governor himself . He was a pet hero of theirs . Had he not once been a Claymont lad just like themselves ? Had he not risen to the highest office in the state by dint of sheer hard work and persistency ? Had he not won a national reputation by his prompt and decisive measures during the big strike at Campden ? And was he not a man , personally and politically , whom any boy might be proud to imitate ? Yes , to all of these questions . Hence to the Newbury boys the interest of the picnic centred in the Governor . `` I shall feel two inches taller just to get a look at him , '' said Ralph enthusiastically . `` He is n't much to look at , '' said Frances , rather patronizingly . `` I saw him once at Campden -- he came to the school when his daughter was graduated . He is bald and fat . Oh , of course , he is famous and all that ! But I want to go to the picnic to see Sara Beaumont . She 's to be there with the Chandlers from Campden , and Mary Spearman , who knows her by sight , is going to point her out to me . I suppose it would be too much to expect to be introduced to her . I shall probably have to content myself with just looking at her . '' Ralph resented hearing the Governor called bald and fat . Somehow it seemed as if his hero were being reduced to the level of common clay . `` That 's like a girl , '' he said loftily ; `` thinking more about a woman who writes books than about a man like the Governor ! ''
`` I 'd rather see Sara XXXXX than forty governors , '' retorted Frances .
Beaumont Campden Claymont Elliott Frances Governor Newbury Ralph Spearman persistency