Many of the summer evenings found him on the Colonel's doorstep, smoking a pipe, or playing with the children.

He was that rare and best company--a good listener.

Although he laughed at Colonel Zane's stories, and never tired of hearing of Isaac's experiences among the Indians, it is probable he would not have partaken of the Colonel's hospitality nearly so often had it not been that he usually saw Betty, and if he got only a glimpse of her he went away satisfied.
On Sundays he attended the services at the little church and listened to Betty's sweet voice as she led the singing.
There were a number of girls at the fort near Betty's age.

With all of these Alfred was popular.

He appeared so entirely different from the usual young man on the frontier that he was more than welcome everywhere.