But after supper at six-thirty in the workmen's shack, Hiram Strong was obliged to appear in front of the new house and meet people. What he had done to Adam Banks, the neighborhood bully, seemed to have been circulated by some method of grapevine telegraph, and Hiram realized that those who did not speak to him about it showed that they had heard the story by their curious smiles. He was a newcomer, and naturally his neighbors were sizing him up. The young farmer from the East expected they would be curious about him if not actually doubtful. The thing that soon began to make the deepest impression on the young manager of Sunnyside was the number of automobiles that were arriving. There were some horse-drawn buggies and carriages, but one after another the more popular makes of motor-cars arrived at the farm until there were more than fifty parked along the roadside. The Bronson car came after the dancing had begun. Hiram ran out to greet his employer and Lettie. The latter was dressed in the very height of city fashion and when she came up to the dancing floor on Hiram's arm the country girls fairly buzzed. But in spite of Lettie's _outré_ style in dress, she was by no means snobbish. She greeted everybody whom she knew with perfect freedom, and she displayed no air of patronage. Hiram thought to himself that Lettie Bronson had greatly improved during these past few months. Miss Pringle, who had already danced once with Hiram and once with Orrin, ran over to meet the daughter of the owner of Sunnyside Farm, and her effusive greeting only made Lettie laugh. "There is a whole flock of fellows here who will want to dance with you, Lettie Bronson," the young-old girl declared. "You'll have a good time here." "Of course she will," said her escort, smiling. "Hiram, first," declared Lettie, smiling up at her father's employee in a way to make the young fellow's heart increase its beat. "I haven't danced with him since we had our barn dance last corn husking at Scoville. Remember, Hiram?" "I should say I do," he agreed with warmth. "And then I want to know Orrin Post. Does he dance, Hiram?" "There he is now dancing with Miss Paulsen," said Hiram. "Of course Orrin can dance," Miss Pringle joined in. "You know Sister--or is it Cecilia?--is very much interested in this Orrin Post, too," Lettie said to Hiram as they got into step with the music. "I saw her and dear old Mrs. Atterson just the other day. You will have to make good here at Sunnyside, Hiram Strong, or you will disappoint Sister and Mrs. Atterson fearfully." "I mean to succeed. I hope all my friends will root for me from the side lines," laughed Hiram, yet with a certain wistful glance at his partner. "Of course we will," cried Lettie frankly. "And nobody will root any louder than 'yours truly,' Hiram. Why! next to father I am sure nobody can have your welfare more at heart than I."