What in the
world--"
"Nothin'. Fur's that goes I don't think either of you knew you was IN
the world. I passed right by and you didn't see me. Heman saw you, too.
What was your marketin'--vegetables?"
"I believe so. Captain, you're sidestepping again. It was of you, not
me, I was speaking when--"
"Yes, I know. Well, I'm speakin' about you now. Heman saw you buyin'
them vegetables. Tomatters, wa'n't they?"
"Perhaps so. Have you been drinking? What difference does it make
whether we bought tomatoes or potatoes?"
"Didn't make none--to me. But I bet Heman didn't like to see you two
buyin' tomatters."
"For heaven's sake, why not?"
"Oh, 'cause he probably remembered, same as I did, what folks used to
call 'em in the old days."
"You HAVE been drinking! What did they use to call them?"
"Love apples," replied Captain Obed, and strode away chuckling. John
watched him go. He, too, laughed at first, but his laugh broke off in
the middle and when he went into the house his expression was troubled
and serious.
One remark of the captain's was true enough; John Kendrick's popularity
with his professional rival was growing daily less. The pair were
scrupulously polite to each other, but they seldom spoke except when
others were present, and Mr. Daniels made it a point apparently to be
present whenever Miss Howes was in the room. He continued to bring his
little offerings of fruit and flowers and his invitations for drives
and picnics and entertainments at the town hall were more frequent.
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