第26章

"Why, nothin', nothin'.Only, I tell you, Ros--" he looked carefully about to make sure no one was listening; "I tell you;it's just this way.I can understand how you feel about it.You know Dean and some of the others are sore on Mr.Colton 'cause he's got more money than they have, and they want to make all the trouble for him they can.Jed's got an idea that he's after that Lane, to close it off, and he's stirrin' up sentiment against its bein' closed.He's talkin' about the town buyin' it.Now of course I know your position.You want to get just as high a price as you can afore you sell.""That's my position, is it?"

"It would be the position of any sensible man, wouldn't it? Idon't blame you.Now, what I wanted to say was this." He bent forward and lowered his voice to a whisper."Why don't you let me handle this thing for you? I can do it better'n you.I see Cap'n Jed every night, you might say.And I see consider'ble of Mr.

Colton.He knows I'm postmaster in this town and sort of prominent.All the smart folks ain't in the Board of Selectmen.

I'll keep you posted; see? You just set back and pretend you don't want to sell at all.Colton, he'll bid and Jed and his gang'll bid.I'll tell each what the other bids, and we'll keep her jumpin'.When we get to the last jump, we'll sell--and not afore.

Of course Mr.Colton 'll get it, in the end.""Oh, he will! What makes you think so?"

"What makes me think so? Don't be foolish.Ain't he a millionaire?

How can Denboro stand up against a millionaire? I tell you, Ros, it's money counts in this world, and it pays to stand in with them that's got it.I'm goin' to stand in with Mr.Colton.But I'll pretend to stand in with Dean just as much.I can help a whole lot.

Why, I shouldn't wonder if, between us, we could get--er--er--Idon't know how much, for that land.What do you say?"I smiled."It's very kind of you, Sim, to be willing to go to so much trouble on my account," I observed."I didn't know there was such disinterested kindness in Denboro."Sim seemed a bit put out."Why," he stammered, "I--I--of course Ipresumed likely you'd be willin' to pay me a little commission--or--or--somethin'.I thought I might be a sort of--er--agent for you.

I've handled consider'ble real estate in my time--and--you see what I mean, don't you?""Yes," I said, drily; "I see.Well, Sim, if I decide to engage an agent I'll let you know.Good morning.""But, hold on, Ros! I--"

I did not "hold on." I walked across the road and entered the bank.Alvin Baker met me in the vestibule.He seized my hand and shook it violently.

"I declare," he exclaimed, "it does me good to shake hands with a feller that's got the grit you have.It does so! We're all proud of you.""Much obliged, Alvin, I'm sure.But why?"He winked and nudged me with his elbow.

"You know why, all right," he whispered."Wouldn't sell him the land, would you? Tell me: Did he make you a real bid for it?

Lute as much as said he did."

For a person who had told nothing, Lute seemed to have "as much as said" a good many things.I shook my head.

"So you think I shouldn't sell the land?" I asked.

"Course you shouldn't--not to him.Ain't there such things as public spirit and independence? But I'll tell you somethin' more, Ros," mysteriously."You may have a chance to sell it somewhere else.""Indeed?"

"Yes, sir-ee! indeed! There's other public-spirited folks in Denboro as well as you.I know who they be and I stand in with 'em pretty close, too.I'm goin' to help you all I can.""That's very kind of you, Alvin."

"No, no.I'm glad to do it.Shan't charge you nothin', neither.""That's kinder still."

"No, 'tain't...Hold on a minute, Ros.Don't go.As I say, I'm goin' to work tooth and nail to get the town to buy that Lane property of yours.I'll stick out for you're gettin' a good price for it.I'll use all my influence.""Thank you."

"You needn't thank me.It's a matter of principle.We'll show these city folks they ain't the whole ship, cargo and all....

Hold on a second more.Ros, I--er--I wonder if you'd do a little favor for me.""What is it, Alvin?"

"Why, it's this way.I've got a note here in the bank; put it there when I bought the power engine for my cat-boat.Hundred and fifty dollars, 'tis.You're a pretty good friend of George Taylor, cashier here, and I was wonderin' if you'd mind puttin' in a word with him about my gettin' it renewed when it comes due.Just tell him you think I'm all right, and a good risk, or somethin' like that."I could not help smiling.Alvin seemed to find encouragement in the smile.

"George thinks consider'ble of you," he said."And Captain Jed--he's one of the directors--he will, too, now that you've stood up to Colton.Just put in a word for me, will you? And don't forget I'm a friend of yours, and I'm strong for your gettin' a good, fair price from the town.Remember that, won't you?""I won't forget, Alvin.Good-by."

I left him and went into the bank.Henry Small, the bookkeeper, was at his desk.I walked over to speak to him, but he, looking up from his figures, spoke first.There was, or so it seemed to me, a different note in his greeting.It was more hearty, I thought.

Certainly he regarded me with a new and curious interest.

"Morning, Ros," he said."Well, how are you these days?"I answered that I was well, and was moving on but he detained me.

"Lively times ahead, hey," he whispered.

"What sort of times?" I asked.

He winked."I guess you know, if anybody does," he observed."All right, you'll have good friends on your side.I ain't saying anything, of course, but I'm on, all right."He winked again.I walked back to the cashier's window.Taylor had, evidently, seen me talking with the bookkeeper, for he was standing by the little gate, waiting for me.