登陆注册
5197800000044

第44章

Barnes.Mr.Kendrick has begun to spend money here already, and he will doubtless spend more.He contemplates public improvements as well as private.He asked me what sort of spirit there was in our community.Ahem!"He paused, apparently to let the importance of the announcement sink in.It sank, or seemed to.Mr.Hammond, however, was somewhat puzzled.

"Now what do you cal'late he meant by that?" he queried.

John Kendrick answered.He and Emily had exchanged smiles.

Neither of them seemed as deeply impressed with the Daniels proclamation as the others of the group.

"Perhaps he wanted to buy a drink," suggested John, gravely.

Miss Timpson was shocked; her expression showed it.Caleb Hammond did not seem to know whether to be shocked or not; the Hammond appreciation of a joke generally arrived on a later train.Mrs.

Barnes and Captain Obed laughed, but not too heartily.

Mr.Daniels did not laugh.The frivolous interruption evidently jarred him.

"I scarcely imagine that to be the reason," he said, drily."If Mr.E.Holliday Kendrick does indulge I guess likely--that is, Ipresume he would not find it necessary to buy his--er--beverages here.He meant public spirit, of course.He asked me who our leading men were.""Who were they--the others, I mean?" asked John.

Emily rubbed away a smile with her handkerchief.Heman noticed her action, and his color brightened.

"They WERE public," he said, rather sharply."They were men of standing--long standing in the community.Prominent and prosperous citizens, who have lived here long enough for East Wellmouth to know them--and respect them."This was a shot in the bull's eye.Miss Timpson evidently thought so, for she nodded approval.Daniels continued.

"They were men of known worth," he went on."Practical citizens whose past as well as present is known.Your cousin--I believe he is your cousin, Kendrick, although he did not mention the relationship--was grateful to me for giving him their names.He is a practical man, himself."John nodded."He must be," he admitted."No one but a practical man could get all that advice, free, from a lawyer."Captain Obed laughed aloud.

"That's a good one," he declared."Lawyers ain't in the habit of GIVIN' much, 'cordin' to all accounts.How about it, Heman?"Mr.Daniels ignored the question and the questioner.He rose to his feet.

"There are SOME lawyers," he observed, crisply, "whose advice is not asked--to any great extent.I--I think I will join the group on the beach.It's a beautiful evening.Won't you accompany me, Miss Howes?"Emily declined the invitation."No, thank you, Mr.Daniels," she said."I am rather tired and I think I won't go out tonight.By the way, Mr.Kendrick," she added, "was the great man asking your advice also? I happened to see him go into your office yesterday."Everyone was surprised--everyone except the speaker and the person addressed, that is--but Heman's surprise was most manifest.His hand was on the knob of the door, but now he turned.

"In HIS office?" he repeated."Kendrick, was he in to see YOU?"John bowed assent."Yes," he said."He seems to be contemplating retaining a sort of--of resident attorney to look after his local affairs.I mentioned your name, Daniels."Mr.Daniels went out.The door banged behind him.

A half hour later, after Mr.Hammond also had gone to join the marshmallow toasters and Miss Timpson had retired to her room, John told the others the story.Mr.E.Holliday Kendrick HAD called upon him at his office and he did contemplate engaging a resident lawyer.There were likely to be many of what he termed "minor details" connected with the transfer of the Colfax estate to him and the purchases which he meant to make later on, and an attorney at his beck and call would be a great convenience.Not this only;he had actually offered his young cousin the position, had offered to engage him and to pay him several hundred dollars as a retaining fee.

He told his hearers so much, and then he stopped.Emily, who had seemed much interested, waited a moment and then begged him to continue.

"Well?" she said."Why don't you tell us the rest? We are all waiting to congratulate you.You accepted, of course."John shook his head."Why, no," he replied, "I didn't accept, exactly.I did say I would think it over; but I--well, I'm not sure that I shall accept."Here was the unexpected.His hearers looked at each other in amazement.

"You won't accept!" cried Thankful."Why, Mr.Kendrick.""Won't accept!" shouted Captain Obed."What on earth! Why, John Kendrick, what's the matter with you? Ain't you been settin' in that office of yours waitin' and waitin' for somethin' worth while to come along? And now a really big chance does come, and you say you don't know as you'll take it! What kind of talk's that, I'd like to know!"John smiled.Miss Howes, who seemed as much surprised as the others, did not smile.

"Why won't you take it?" demanded the captain.

同类推荐
  • 寄卢载

    寄卢载

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 玉豁子丹经指要

    玉豁子丹经指要

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • King Richard III

    King Richard III

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 亡题

    亡题

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 明伦汇编家范典甥舅部

    明伦汇编家范典甥舅部

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 妖孽王爷纨绔妃

    妖孽王爷纨绔妃

    相公,是要自个儿挑出来的。云小丫头说这话时,正猫在某人怀里打呵欠,那个得意劲。闺塾师是个正经职业,云未是个不正经的小丫头,纨绔大小姐,臭名昭著,令得将军府外门可罗雀,劣迹斑斑。可巧看上的男人高不可攀,云未眼珠一转,装成闺塾师混迹各个高门后院。嗬,一不小心出了名。
  • 天降腹黑老公:萌妻你别跑

    天降腹黑老公:萌妻你别跑

    新文《隔墙男神:呆萌遇腹黑》已发布,求支持。“安陵宇,你给我滚出去......”十岁的白萌萌看着一脸色眯眯盯着自己胸部打量的大男孩,一脸的羞愤,震怒地吼道。“前后都差不多,又没什么可看,真不知道以后谁会看上你......"安陵宇双手抱胸,背靠着门,痞子般地吹了一个口哨,不以为然地戏谑道。为了证明自己的魅力值,白萌萌不断的换男朋友,原来的丑小鸭,一转眼,变成了人见人爱的白天鹅,安陵宇终于着急了。
  • 做你想做的事

    做你想做的事

    获得成功和快乐的秘诀是什么?有人说是财富。不是。生活中那些拥有巨额财富的人,没有几个是真正的快乐者。事实上,获得成功和快乐的法则很简单:做你想做的事!唯有如此,你才能获得事业的成功,才能过上精致的生活。你热爱你现在的工作吗?你正在做的是你想做的事情吗?如果是,即使目前的工作有困难,也不要放弃,要坚持,要全力以赴,要付出热情,要有积极的行动,要有健康的心态。当你拥有这一切时,成功便顺理成章——而这,也正是本书要告诉你的。本书是一本励志的小书,但它又是一本生活的大书。读懂它,你能感悟到应该用什么样的心态和行动去对待生活和工作;拥有它,就如同在迈向成功的路上多了一位良师益友。
  • 佛说一切佛摄相应大教王经圣观自在菩萨念诵仪轨

    佛说一切佛摄相应大教王经圣观自在菩萨念诵仪轨

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 非魂

    非魂

    最能打动人心,往往是最简单的生活。活着就该好好享受,不管经历什么都是无法忘记不同人也有不同的视角去判断这一切。于仗卿而言,简单的生活,比以往好了不要太多,有一人陪伴,也好了也好了太多了
  • 清甜佳人

    清甜佳人

    救了个小孩,竟然被他强制拉回家,一心要让她当二妈,小孩子开开玩笑就好了,那个花心帅气的小孩父亲还处处冷脸相向,是,她是平民,但是不代表她没尊严,有钱人有什么了不起,她也是有脾气的,她走,走的远远的……可是,那位干嘛还追在她屁股后面不放手啊?爱了?晚了!想要她嫁他?难了!
  • 掀开我的棺材板

    掀开我的棺材板

    无名陵寝,大槐树旁一个沉睡了数载的青铜棺,突然发出了剧烈的抖动。嘭的一声,棺材板被踹开,一个身穿长衫的青年人缓缓坐起。“如果下次我再把自己的棺材板封得这么严实......”“我就是狗。” 所以说你们不要把这当成正经小说~ 群号:613735405
  • 重生之走出大山

    重生之走出大山

    重生文,贴近真实生活!给大家讲一个故事,讲他作为留守儿童的一生,从一个留守儿童,成为隐形富翁的故事。PS:有好几个哥们在问群号了,我想了想还是先建个群吧,欢迎大家加入本群。群号:236301568,加群时的答案:雨中雨夹雪
  • 沙漠:漫漫的苍茫大地

    沙漠:漫漫的苍茫大地

    卡拉库姆沙漠位于土库曼斯坦首都境内,其大部分为固定垄岗沙地,沙垄高度3米~60米,很少一部分为丘状沙地。土库曼斯坦自然环境严峻,80%的土地被沙漠占据。卡拉库姆大沙漠在这个国家的中部并一直延伸到哈萨克斯坦境内,发源于阿富汗高山的阿姆达里亚河流经土库曼斯坦东部,由于干旱缺水,1954年开始动工兴建的卡拉库姆大运河,把阿姆达里亚河水沿着卡拉库姆沙漠边缘地带引向首都阿什哈巴德和里海岸边,这条大运河对土库曼斯坦农业和畜牧业的发展、石油和天然气的开采以及改善居民生活用水都具有重大作用。
  • 人道图腾

    人道图腾

    诸天海的交汇口,无尽世界的融合这里拥有无尽的想象无尽的可能这里,是人道永恒的世界