Abner scratched his head then winked at Benoni.
“I went to buy somethin' for an individual who shall be nameless out of respect—”
“Go on with your story,” shouted Strout. “You'd better hurry home with that sugar or the 'Master' may make it hot for you.”
This remark caused a laugh at Abner's expense.
“Jes' go ahead, Abner,” said Benoni, “we're all a-waitin'.”
“Well, I met a feller on the train and he buzzed me all the way here. He wanted to know where I lived, an' when I told him I lived in Fernborough, that used to be a part of Eastborough, he jest piled me full of questions. I told him all I knew—”
“An' added a little something” broke in Strout.
“No, I jest stuck close to the truth. He wanted to know about Mr. Quincy Adams Sawyer. I told him he was dead, but he said he wanted to know about him when he lived here. Then I told him there was a man in town who could tell him more'n I could about that, an' I jest giv' him your name, Obadiah.”
This sally turned the laugh on Strout who was about to make a sharp rejoinder, when the store door opened and a strong current of cold air caused all to turn.
“Shut the door!” cried Bob Wood in his gruff voice.