Solomon Cobb had not been near her since
their interview. He had not yet said that he would renew the mortgage
when it fell due. Mrs. Barnes began to fear that he did not intend to
renew it.
Heman Daniels, when he came in for supper, seemed disturbed to find that
Miss Howes had gone. Somehow or other he had gained the impression that
she was to leave the next morning.
"Did she--did Miss Howes leave no message for me?" he inquired, with a
carelessness which, to Thankful, seemed more assumed than real.
"No," answered the latter, "no, unless you call it a message about
takin' the responsibility of Holliday Kendrick and his schemes off
my hands. That is," remembering Emily's desire not to have her name
mentioned in the matter, "she didn't leave that. But I guess you can
take charge of that mess, if you want to."
Mr. Daniels smiled a superior smile. "I intended doing so," he said,
"as a matter of friendship, Mrs. Barnes. You may rest easy. I have taken
pains to let the town-folks know that your interests are mine and I
think our--er--late--er--friend is learning what our best citizens think
of his attitude."
There was truth in this statement. John Kendrick had foreseen the effect
upon his popularity which his espousal of his wealthy relative's cause
might have and his prophecy concerning "moral leprosy" was in process of
fulfillment. Opinion in the village was divided, of course. There were
some who, like Darius Holt, announced that they did not blame the young
yellow.
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