"He must have gone home early," she said to herself, and all the way along the Three-Notched Road she thought of Lewis Rand and his career.
Rand had not gone home, but was walking down the street towards the Eagle and the post-office.

Presently the stage would be in, and he carried a letter the posting of which he did not care to entrust to another.

He walked lightly and firmly, in the glow before sunset, and as he approached the post-office steps he met, full face, coming from the other end of the town, Colonel Richard and Major Edward Churchill and Fairfax Cary.

They were afoot, having left their horses at the Swan while they waited for the incoming stage.

The post-office had a high white porch, and on this were gathered a number of planters and townsfolk, while others lounged below on the trodden grass beneath three warped mulberries.