furthest from the street, was out of view from the post office and
"general store."

"What was it you wanted to talk about, Sol?" asked Simeon, sitting down
beside his friend on the truck.

The Captain smoked in silence for a moment. Then he asked a question in
return.

"Sim," he said, "have you heard anything about Williams buying the
Smalley house? Is it true?"

Phinney nodded. "Yup," he answered, "it's true. Williams was just
talkin' to me and I know all about his buyin' it and where it's goin'."

He repeated the conversation with the great man. Captain Sol did
not interrupt. He smoked on, and a frown gathered and deepened as he
listened.

"Humph!" he said, when his friend had concluded. "Humph! Sim, do you
have any idea what--what Olive Seabury will do when she has to go?"

Phinney glanced at him. It was the first time in twenty years that he
had heard Solomon Berry mention the name of his former sweetheart. And
even now he did not call her by her married name, the name of her late
husband.

"No," replied Simeon. "No, Sol, I ain't got the least idea. Poor thing!"

Another interval. Then: "Well, Sim, find out if you can, and let me