The answers he received were more and more brief and absent.

At last, when Edwards again appeared, appealingly mute, at the entrance to the dining room, Captain Elisha, with a sigh which was almost a groan, surrendered.
"I guess," he said, reluctantly, "I guess, Jim, there ain't any use waitin' any longer.

Somethin's kept 'em, and they won't be here for dinner.

You and I'll set down and eat--though I ain't got the appetite I cal'lated to have." Pearson had dined hours before, but he followed his friend, resolved to please the latter by going through the form of pretending to eat.
They sat down together.

Captain Elisha, with a rueful smile, pointed to the floral centerpiece.
"There's your posies, Jim," he observed.