He was ill-natured at home and ugly at the shop, and Polena declared that he was "gettin' so a body couldn't live with him." Her own spirits were remarkably high, and Obed noticed that, as the days went by, she seemed to be unusually excited.
On Thursday she announced that she was going to Orham to visit her niece, one Sarah Emma Cahoon, and wouldn't be back right off.

He knew better than to object, and so she went.
That evening each of the signers of the letter to Major Hardee received a courteous note saying that the Major would be pleased to receive the gentlemen at the Hall.

Nothing was said about payment.
So, after some discussion, the creditors marched in procession across the fields and up to "Silverleaf Hall." "Hardee's been to Orham to-day," whispered the keeper of the livery stable, as they entered the yard.

"He drove over this mornin' and come back to-night." "DROVE over!" exclaimed Obed, halting in his tracks.

"He did?
Where'd he get the team?
I'll bet five dollars you was soft enough to let him have it, and never said a word.