BOB WEST INTERFERES It was unfortunate that at that time Thursday Smith had gone up the electric line toward Royal, to inspect it.

In the office were Patsy, Hetty Hewitt--who was making a drawing--Arthur Weldon, engaged upon his books, and finally, seated in an easy-chair from which he silently watched them work, old Bob West, the hardware man.

Louise and Beth had driven over to the Junction to write up an accident, one of the trainmen having caught his hand in a coupling, between two freight cars.
Bob West often dropped into the office, which was next door to his own place of business, but he was a silent man and had little to say on these visits.

In his early days he had wandered pretty much over the whole world, and he could relate some interesting personal adventures if he chose.

In this retired village West was the one inhabitant distinguished above his fellows for his knowledge of the world.