"It's delightful to see--really," said that gentleman. "But Mr. Linden--ha--I am sorry to find that you haven't the good will of our neighbour, Squire Deacon. The Squire's a valuable man--very!--the Squire's a valuable man in the town. I am sorry. Do you know, Mr. Linden--ha--how it has happened?" "Have you asked the Squire himself, sir?" said Mr. Linden. "Why--no, sir, I haven't. I--ha--wanted to get at the truth of it, that I might, if possible, do something to heal the breach. Now you are doing a valuable work in Pattaquasset, sir--I should be sorry to see it interrupted--very--and I thought the best way would be to try to find out what the matter was, in order if possible to its being removed. And to get at the truth it is often best to hear both sides." "But I have no side to tell, sir," said Mr. Linden--smiling in spite of himself. "I cannot deny that Squire Deacon seems to withhold his good will--I think it is for him to tell his reasons." "Then you really have no idea what it can be about? and I may tell him so? Because that would be a great point." "No sir, you may not tell him that." "Then you _have_ an idea what the matter is?" said Mr. Somers eagerly. "Then, sir, if you will be so good as to let me know what it is--I have no doubt--I entertain no doubt--we shall be able to smooth it all away, and have peace." "You cannot prove one man's ideas by another man's," said Mr. Linden. "Then you can give me no help?" said Mr. Somers regretfully. "But Mr. Linden--ha--it strikes me that it would be useful for me to know your view of the cause of offence--whatever it is--before I know his. One may correct the other." "There has been no offence given sir," said Mr. Linden. "That the Squire has taken offence we both know,--why he has taken it--_if_ I know--I have no right to tell you, Squire Deacon might justly complain of me if I did. It is from no disrespect to you, believe me." "I say!" said Cindy coming into the room with a basket,--"here's Sam Stoutenburgh been and fetched some Stoutenburgh Sweetenings--for his teacher, he says. I'm free to confess," added Cindy as she set down the basket by Mr. Linden, "he said if he _would_ like to do anythin' better with 'em, it would just be to shy 'em at Squire Deacon's head--so I guess they aint over and above ripe." "Ha!--Very pleasant, certainly!--very gratifying," said Mr. Somers rising. "Mr. Linden--I have no more to say. You are a gentleman, sir, and understand these matters. I will see what I can do. Mrs. Derrick--I thank you for your tea, ma'am--I am sorry there should be anything disagreeable,--but I have no doubt it will all be set right--The Squire is a good-feeling man--I have no doubt of it. Miss Faith--ha!--why Mrs. Derrick this colour is too deep, it isn't natural. It looks feverish!" "Do the Pattaquasset ladies use any rouge but their own sea breezes?" asked Mr. Linden. "Ha! we _do_ get the sea breezes here--pleasantly," answered Mr. Somers. "Good evening!"--