Francis Lynde

“ Manville will be there, and father says he's a hustler from 'way back, and as tricky as he is smart. I shouldn't be anywhere after the people got a good chance to laugh at me once."
Kate swung herself gently in the hammock and began to untie the knots. "I thought you had more nerve, Tom, and—I must say it—more magnanimity," she said, with true feminine artfulness. "You say it's your fault, but it is father who will have to suffer for it." ”

“ Tom promised; and the farmer drove on, and they went up the walk to The Maples.
They waited an hour for breakfast, but the time was not lost. The opportune meeting with Aaron Simpson was discussed and made much of; and after breakfast Tom walked to town with his bundle of rate-sheets and folders under his arm, a confused jumble of lately acquired railway information trying to pigeonhole itself in his brain, and his heart far lighter than it would have been if he had known all the difficulties lying in wait for him. ”

“ She was three years his senior, and beneath a boyish assumption of contempt for all girls of whatever age he had a profound respect for his sister's diplomatic gifts.
"I don't know; maybe we can do it," he said doubtfully. "Anyway, we can try." ”

“ The farmer gathered up the reins and drove on. "He's sort o' queer—man with lots of friends, and a kind word for every single one of 'em, and yet pretty middlin' gruff to strangers. He'll like as not snap you up sharp at first, but if you've got grit enough to hang, maybe you can fetch him round." ”

“ Seasoned travelers maintain that early-morning trains are perversely prone to be on time, and it was exactly half-past five the following morning when the Chicago Express clattered in over the W. & I. crossing at Richville. Kate and Tom were the only passengers to leave the train; and as the village hotel was only a square distant, there was no porter at the platform. ”