Heman liked Emily, seemed to
like her very much indeed. On one or two occasions he had taken her to
ride behind his fast horse, and he often brought bouquets and fruit,
"given me by my clients and friends," he explained. "One can't refuse
little gifts like that, but it is a comfort, to a bachelor like me, to
be able to hand them on--hand them on--yes."
The first of August brought a new sensation and a new resident to East
Wellmouth. The big Colfax estate was sold and the buyer was no less a
personage than E. Holliday Kendrick, John Kendrick's aristocratic Fifth
Avenue cousin. His coming was as great a surprise to John as to the rest
of the community, but he seemed much less excited over it. The purchase
was quietly completed and, one pleasant morning, the great E. Holliday
himself appeared in East Wellmouth accompanied by a wife and child, two
motor cars and six servants.
Captain Obed Bangs, who had been spending a week in Orham on business
connected with his fish weirs, returned to find the village chanting
the praises of the new arrival. Somehow or other E. Holliday had managed
already to convey the impression that he was the most important person
in creation. The captain happening in at the High Cliff House after
supper, found the group in the living-room discussing the all-important
topic. Most of the city boarders were out enjoying a "marshmallow toast"
about a bonfire on the beach, but the "regulars" were present.
"Where's Mrs. Thankful?" was Captain Obed's first question.
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