That week was a strange one to me, and the first of many strange ones. My manner of life was changing, although I did not realize it and although the change came through no effort of my own. Our house, which had been so long almost a hermitage, if a home containing four persons might be called that, was gradually becoming a social center. Matilda Dean had called once a week regularly for some time and this particular week Captain Jed came with her. Captain Elisha Warren and his cousin and housekeeper, Miss Abbie Baker, drove down for a half-hour's stay. George Taylor and Nellie spent an evening with us. I feared the unaccustomed rush of company might have a bad effect upon Mother, but she seemed actually the better for it. She professed to believe that Denboro was awakening to the fact of my merits as a man and a citizen. “They are finding you out at last, Boy,” she said. I laughed at her. I knew better. It was because of my position in the bank that these people came. I was making good there, apparently, and the surprise at this caused Captain Warren and the rest to take a new, and no doubt transitory interest in me. And I thought I knew Captain Jed's reason for coming. An interview between us gave me the inkling. Matilda was in Mother's room and Dean and I were together in the dining-room. “Ros,” said the captain, suddenly, “you ain't backin' water, are you?” “Backing water? What do you mean by that?” “In this Lane business. You ain't cal'latin' to sell out to Colton, after all?” “Well, hardly. Why do you say that?” “Nothin', maybe. But they tell me you're kind of thick with the R'yal family lately. Beriah Holt says he see you and the Colton girl come out of the woods back of his place one afternoon a spell ago. She was on horseback and you was walkin', but Beriah says you and she was mighty friendly.” I might have expected this. In Denboro one does few things unnoticed. “She had lost her way in the woods and I helped her to find the road home,” I said, “that was all.” “Hum! You helped her to find the road the night of the strawberry festival, too, didn't you?” “How in the world did you find that out?” “Oh, it just sort of drifted around. I've got pretty big ears--maybe you've noticed 'em--and they gen'rally catch some of what's blowin' past. There was a coachman mixed up in that night's work and he talked some, I shouldn't wonder; most of his kind do.” “Well, what of it?” I asked, sharply. “I helped her as I would your daughter if she had been caught alone in a storm like that. I should have been ashamed not to.” “Sartin! Needn't get mad about it. What's this about your takin' his Majesty off fishin' next Saturday?” All of my personal affairs seemed to be common property. I was losing my temper in spite of my recent good resolutions. “Look here, Captain Dean,” I said, “I have a right to take any one fishing, if I choose. Mr. Colton asked me to do it and I saw no reason for saying no.”