"
At dinner John Kendrick met Mr. Heman Daniels and Miss Timpson and Caleb
Hammond. All three were evidently very curious concerning the business
which had brought the young man to East Wellmouth, but their curiosity
was not satisfied. Kendrick himself refused to notice hints and
insinuations and, though he talked freely on most subjects, would not
talk of his own affairs. Captain Obed, of course, disclosed nothing of
the knowledge he had gained. So the table talk dealt mainly with the
changes in the village since John was a boy there, and of old times and
old residents long gone.
Mr. Daniels was very gracious and very affable. He spoke largely of
cases intrusted to his care, of responsibilities and trusts, and if the
guest gained the idea that Mr. Daniels was a very capable and prosperous
lawyer indeed--if he gained such an idea and did not express it, how
could Heman be expected to contradict?
After dinner--Kendrick informed his friend it was one of the best he had
ever eaten--he and the captain walked over to the village, where they
spent the afternoon wandering about, inspecting the ex-barber-shop and
discussing chances and possibilities. The young man was still doubtful
of East Wellmouth's promise of professional opportunities. He should
like to live there, he said, and he might decide to do so, but as yet
he had not so decided. He seemed more pessimistic than during the drive
down from the station. Captain Obed, however, and oddly enough, was much
more optimistic than he had been at first.
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