"Why, yes, it did.It might have amounted to a whole lot.I asked Peters some questions about the tides out here and, from what he said, I judge that being stuck on the shoals in a squall might not be altogether a joke.Mabel says you handled the affair mighty well."I did not answer.He chuckled.
"How did young Carver enjoy playing second fiddle?" he asked.
"From what I've seen of him he generally expects to lead the band.
Happy, was he?"
I remained silent.He smiled broadly.
"He isn't any too happy this morning," he went on."That young man won't do.I never quoted him within twenty points of par, but Mabel seemed to like him and her mother thought he was the real thing.Mrs.C.couldn't forget that his family is one of the oldest on the list.Personally I don't gamble much on families;know a little about my own and that little is enough.But women are different.However, family or not, he won't do.I should tell him so myself, but I guess Mabel will save me the trouble.She's got a surprising amount of common-sense, considering that she's an only child--and who her parents are.By the way, Paine, what did Carver say when you put him ashore?""He--he said--oh, nothing of importance.""Yes, I know that.I listened to his explanations last night.But did he say anything?""Why, he offered to pay me for my work."
"Did he? How much?"
"I did not wait to find out."
"And you haven't heard from him since?"
I hesitated.
"Have you?" he repeated.
"Well, I--I received a note from him next day.""Humph! Offering apologies?"
"No."
"Sent you money, didn't he?"
I looked at him in surprise."Did he tell you?" I asked.
"No, nobody told me.I'm only trying to find out whether or not Ihave lost all my judgment of human nature since I struck this sand heap.He did send you money then.How much?""Mr.Colton, I--"
"Come now! How much?"
"Well--he sent me five dollars."
"No! he didn't!"
"I am telling you the truth."
"Yes," slowly, "I know you are.I've got that much judgment left.
Sent you five dollars, did he.And you sent it back.""Yes."
"Any message with it?"
I was tired of being catechized.I had not meant to tell him anything.Now I decided to tell him all.If it angered him, so much the better.
"I sent him word that what I saved wasn't worth the money."To my amazement he was not angry.Instead he slapped his knee and laughed aloud.
"Ho! ho!" he shouted."Humph! Well, that was....I'd like to have seen his face when he got that message.No, that young man won't do.He won't do at all."It was not for me to dispute this conclusion, even if I had disagreed with him, which I did not.I said nothing.He rubbed his knee for a moment and then changed the subject.
"How did you happen to be on the Lower Road at that time of the night?" he asked."I'm mighty glad you were there, of course, but where did you come from?""I left the festival rather late and--"
"Festival? Oh, that thing up at the church.I didn't see you there."I had taken pains that he should not see me.
"Do you mean to tell me," he continued, "that you enjoy a thing like that? What in blazes made Mabel want to go I don't see! She and Carver were set on going; and it would be the treat of a lifetime, or words to that effect.I can't see it myself.Of all the wooden headed jays I ever laid eyes on this town holds the finest collection.Narrow and stubborn and blind to their own interests!"This was more like what I expected from him and I resented it.It may seem odd that I, of all persons, should have taken upon myself the defense of Denboro and its inhabitants, but that is what I did.
"They are no more narrow and stubborn in their way than city people are in theirs," I declared."They resent being ordered about as if their opinions and wishes counted for nothing, and I honor them for it.""Do, hey?"
"Yes, I do.Mr.Colton, I tell you that you are all wrong.Simply because a man lives in the country it does not follow that he is a blockhead.No one in Denboro is rich, as you would count riches, but plenty of them are independent and ask no help from any one.
You can't drive them."
"Can't I?"
"No, you can't.And if you want favors from men here you must ask for them, not try to bully.""I don't want favors.I want to be treated decently, that's all.
When I came here I intended doing things to help the town.Ishould have enjoyed doing it.I told some of them so.Look at the money I've spent.Look at the taxes I'll pay.Why, they ought to be glad to have me here.They ought to welcome me.""So they would if you had not behaved as if you were what some of them call you--'Emperor of New York'.I tell you, Mr.Colton, you're all wrong.I know the people here.""So? Well, from what I've been able to learn about you, you haven't associated with many of them.You've been playing a little at the high and mighty yourself."Chickens do come home to roost.My attitude of indifference and coldness toward my fellow citizens had been misinterpreted, as it deserved to be.George Taylor was right when he said I had made a mistake.
"I have been foolish," I said, hotly, "but not for the reason you suppose.I don't consider myself any better than the people here--no, nor even the equal of some of them.And, from what I have seen of you, Mr.Colton, I don't consider you that, either."Even this did not make him angry.He looked at me as if I puzzled him.
"Say, Paine," he said, "what in the world are you doing down in a place like this?""What do you mean?"
