The principal property of the village was his.

He was identified with the new enterprise upon which they had built such high hope, and they had come to believe that he was a kindlier man than they had formerly supposed him to be.
Already, however, there were suspicions in many minds that there were bubbles on their oil, ready to burst, and reveal the shallowness of the material beneath them; but these very suspicions urged them to treat Mr.
Belcher well, and to keep him interested for them.

They protested against his leaving them.

They assured him of their friendship.

They told him that he had grown up among them, and that they could not but feel that he belonged to them.