He crept up on Kenelm from
behind, when he wa'n't expected, and says he, 'Brother,' he says, 'do
you love the Lord?' Kenelm was some took by surprise and his wits was
in the next county, I cal'late. 'Why--why--' he stammers. 'I ain't got
nothin' AG'IN' Him.' Ho! ho! That's the way I feel about Darius Holt.
I don't love his hotel, but I ain't got nothin' ag'in' him. What do you
say?"
Kendrick hesitated.
"The Holt board is cheaper, isn't it?" he asked.
"Yup. It costs less and it's wuth it."
"Humph! Well--well, I guess we may as well go back to the High Cliff
House."
Captain Obed was much surprised, but he said nothing.
At dinner there was a sprightly air of cheerfulness and desire to please
among the boarders. Everyone talked a good deal and most of the remarks
were addressed to Miss Howes, who sat at the foot of the table, opposite
her cousin. Thankful noticed the change and marveled at it. Dinners had
hitherto been rather hurried and silent affairs. Miss Timpson usually
rushed through the meal in order to get back to her school. Mr. Daniels'
habit was to fidget when Imogene delayed serving a course, to look at
his watch and hint concerning important legal business which needed
prompt attention. Caleb Hammond's conversation too often was confined
to a range bordered by rheumatism on the one hand and bronchitis on the
other.
Now all this was changed. No one seemed in a hurry, no one appeared
to care what the time might be, and no one grumbled.
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