Somehow or other he had gained the impression that she was to leave the next morning.
"Did she--did Miss Howes leave no message for me ?" he inquired, with a carelessness which, to Thankful, seemed more assumed than real.
"No," answered the latter, "no, unless you call it a message about takin' the responsibility of Holliday Kendrick and his schemes off my hands.

That is," remembering Emily's desire not to have her name mentioned in the matter, "she didn't leave that.

But I guess you can take charge of that mess, if you want to." Mr.Daniels smiled a superior smile.

"I intended doing so," he said, "as a matter of friendship, Mrs.Barnes.You may rest easy.

I have taken pains to let the town-folks know that your interests are mine and I think our--er--late--er--friend is learning what our best citizens think of his attitude." There was truth in this statement.